Under the banner of Quit Hate, Save Constitution Campaign
10 December 2022, Khori Gaon
“Government should provide complete rehabilitation for displaced residents of Khori Gaon”
– Medha Patkar
A large number of displaced residents of Khori Gaon will participate in the march from Palwal to Delhi from January 26 to 30.
On January 30, a meeting will be held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi as part of the ‘Quit Hate, Save Constitution’ campaign.
As part of the ‘Quit Hate, Save Constitution’ campaign, Khori’s team saathi organised a march on December 10, Human Rights Day. Thousands of displaced residents of Khori Gaon participated in this march. A peaceful protest of about 10 km was undertaken under the banner of Quit Hate, Save Constitution campaign to demand housing rights and rehabilitation for all.
Social activist Medha Patkar, Narmada Bachao Andolan and National Coordinator of Mass Movements; Dr Sunilam from Madhya Pradesh, President of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti and former MLA, General Secretary of Samajwadi Samagam from Delhi; Arun Srivastava, leader of unorganised workers; JS Walia from Faridabad, Yusuf Meher Ali Center; Guddi from Mumbai; from Delhi and Indore social activists Prabha and Jai Prakash, Shashi Bhushan; Sonu Yadav from Delhi Solidarity Group; social activist Vijayan; Radheshyam of Rajasthan Shuklavas, Khanan Grasth Sangharsh Samiti Kotputli; Team Saathi activists and thousands of Khori gaon residents participated. The protest march was also attended by residents from Jamai Colony, who spoke about the demolition proceedings currently taking place there.
The march started by paying tribute to Vimal Bhai and concluded by garlanding the statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar.
On this occasion:
The speakers expressed concern over the rising discrimination and hatred based on religion, class, caste and gender in the country and resolved to live with love, peace, and harmony. They highlighted that most governments are committing human rights violations. Especially minorities, Dalits, women, and tribals are being systematically targeted.
Speakers said that
On December 10, 2022, United Nations (UN) appealed for a dignified, free, and just life for all citizens of the world; however, the Government of India has been acting against this principle. The demolition of Khori Gaon is just one such example.
The speakers raised concerns about the challenging political times we are facing. Hate speech is being used as a social and political tool to deny communities equality and dignity. Through violence, people are being silenced and made powerless.
Homes of the working class are being bulldozed under the pretext of illegality. But the farmhouses, hotels and government institutions are being protected. Demolitions are driven by an anti-poor ideology where the government has no place in the city for those who build and keeps the city functioning.
More than 16 months have passed since the forced eviction of Khori Gaon, yet most residents have not been rehabilitated. The right to housing is enshrined in our constitution, and yet more than 90% of Khori Gaon residents have been denied this right. Every Khori Gaon resident had bought their plot of land, yet they were called encroachers. These facts were put forth by all speakers during the gathering.
10,00 houses were demolished in Khori Gaon, and the working class was pushed into poverty. Yet, in the name of rehabilitation, only 1009 families have been included in the eligibility list who are being sent to Dabua colony, which is uninhabitable.
Everyone who participated in the march resolved that together they would demand and fight for housing rights and complete rehabilitation of all Khori Gaon residents.
If the central government is thinking of legalising the farmhouses, then they would have to implement a plan to rehabilitate all uprooted Khori Gaon residents.
It was decided that:
A large number of displaced residents of Khori Gaon will participate in the march from Palwal to Delhi from January 26 to 30.
On January 30, a meeting will be held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi as part of the ‘Quit Hate, Save Constitution’ campaign.
Team Saathi, Khori Gaon
Faridabad, Haryana
Khori Gaon 
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