In early 1976, the family planning campaign in Delhi began to intensify. Under directions from Sanjay Gandhi, this was soon combined with a...
In early 1976, the family planning campaign in Delhi began to intensify. Under directions from Sanjay Gandhi, this was soon combined with a so-called programme for the beautification of the capital. What this meant in practice was that slum and jhuggi-jhompri colonies were to be cleared and their residents forcibly sterilised.
The old walled city of Delhi, with its predominantly Muslim population, was the next target. Reports indicate that Sanjay Gandhi visited Turkman Gate sometime in early 1976. He was upset by the hostile reception he received from the residents of the area. It is said that he was also unhappy that the buildings around Turkman Gate restricted his view from where he stood, all the way to the Jama Masjid mosque.
His mind was made up. The slums, buildings and other structures around Turkman Gate would have to be razed to the ground.
The first bulldozer arrived at Turkman Gate on 13 April 1976, accompanied by a small police presence. Initially, some of the outlying hutments were cleared, with no resistance from the public. Then on 15 April, the Dujana House family planning camp was inaugurated by Sanjay Gandhi and the governor of Delhi, Krishan Chand.
Dujana House was a stone’s throw away from...
