The 360 rural communities that make up Delhi and the neighbouring state of Haryana convened at Jantar Mantar to demonstrate against the long-standing disregard for land and infrastructure problems. The demonstrators' demands include resuming land mutation, removing restrictive provisions of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, and converting Delhi's villages into smart villages. The protest was organised by Chaudhary Surender Solanki, head of Palam 360 Khap. Despite rural areas' contributions to Delhi's development, villages have degenerated into slum-like areas, according to Solanki. If their demands are not fulfilled, protesters warned of a boycott of the forthcoming elections in Delhi.
At Jantar Mantar, rural Delhi residents staged a protest to express their annoyance over outstanding issues pertaining to land and infrastructure. Residents from all 360 of Delhi's villages, as well as a few from nearby Haryana, participated in the mahapanchayat. They made eleven demands, which included turning Delhi's villages into smart villages and exempting some taxes and changes to the land pooling programme.
The protest's organiser, Chaudhary Surender Solanki, head of Palam 360 Khap, claimed that although rural populations have made major contributions to Delhi's growth, they are being disregarded. Delhi's villages have evolved into slum regions rather than being cities or villages. It is no longer acceptable for successive governments to ignore the persistent problems facing Delhi's rural people, the speaker declared.
If their demands are not met before the Delhi assembly elections, the protesters have threatened to boycott the state elections. They mentioned that discussions with the Delhi chief minister and Lieutenant Governor have been ongoing for over a year, but most issues remain unresolved, except for a few minor ones. They expressed their readiness for a decisive action this time and insisted on a respectful, long-term resolution to all their problems.
Resuming land mutation procedures in Delhi's villages, providing land ownership rights to impoverished farmers, and assigning alternative plots to individuals whose farms were taken over by the government are among the demands made by the mahapanchayat. Additional demands include the notification of the 2041 Master Plan, changes to the land pooling policy, creation of smart villages, and the execution of the ownership system under the Swamitva Yojana without stamp duty.
In addition, they want the Delhi Land Reforms Act of 1954's sections 33 and 81, which limit building on their property, repealed. Solanki pointed out that the Act has several issues, mentioning that even if a farmer constructs a single room on their field, it could result in the transfer of their land to the gram sabha. He also highlighted the deteriorating conditions in Delhi's rural areas, such as the crumbling roads and lack of essential infrastructure.
Solanki stated that many community roads are riddled with potholes and lack functional sewage systems, making residents' lives intolerable. He claimed that villages are treated worse than slums despite significantly contributing to Delhi's development, and he gave the Delhi government a 15-day ultimatum to address their demands. The mahapanchayat also highlighted the difficulties faced by the migrant community in Delhi's villages, who are increasingly burdened by a lack of job opportunities.
In conclusion, the unresolved land and infrastructure concerns that are frustrating rural Delhi residents were highlighted by the protest at Jantar Mantar. These communities deal with worsening circumstances, poor infrastructure, and restricted laws despite having made important contributions to the growth of the metropolis. The Delhi government has been given 15 days to comply with the demands made by the Maha Panchayat, which range from tax exemptions and land rights to infrastructural improvements. They intend to abstain from the next state elections if their demands are not met, demonstrating their commitment to finding lasting answers and acknowledging the concerns of rural Delhi.
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