The Supreme Court of India on Monday granted interim relief to around 250 Pakistan-born Scheduled Caste Hindu families living in Delhi, staying their eviction and underlining that the mere grant of Indian citizenship is insufficient unless it is accompanied by dignified living conditions and proper rehabilitation.
The observations were made while the court was hearing a case relating to the proposed displacement of these families, who have been residing for several years near the Signature Bridge in the Majnu Ka Tila area. The residents, despite having been granted Indian citizenship, continue to face the threat of being uprooted from their homes due to eviction or development-related actions.
A Bench comprising Justice M. M. Sundresh and Justice N. Koteshwar Singh expressed concern over the precarious situation of the migrant families, noting that citizenship cannot be reduced to a legal formality alone. The judges emphasised that meaningful citizenship must also include access to safe, stable, and dignified housing, without which these communities remain vulnerable and marginalised.
The court pointed out that granting citizenship while leaving families exposed to homelessness defeats the very purpose of rehabilitation and integration. It stressed that the state has a responsibility to ensure that such communities are not only legally recognised as citizens but are also supported with adequate housing arrangements that allow them to live with dignity and security.
In view of this, the Bench directed the concerned government authorities to file a detailed response within four weeks, explaining their position and outlining steps, if any, taken to address the housing and rehabilitation concerns of the affected families. Until such time, the court ordered a stay on any eviction drives, demolition activity, or development projects that could result in the displacement of the residents.
The interim protection granted by the Supreme Court applies to approximately 250 families, impacting more than 1,000 individuals, many of whom have lived in the area for a long period and have built their lives there. The court’s order provides temporary relief to these families, who have been living under uncertainty and fear of eviction, while the larger questions of rehabilitation, housing rights, and state responsibility remain under judicial consideration.
