Compensation restitution and guarantee of non-repetition (of demolitions)–established international law standards for victims—have been violated by UP, MP and Delhi authroities over past months when Muslim homes were selectively demolished by bulldozers since April. This has been stated by three UN Special Rapporteurs to the Indian government recently.
In an exclusive interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, Prof Balakrishnan Rajagopal Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing and Professor of Law and Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology says that Indian and international law was broken in the spate of recent demolitions being carried out in Prayagraj (Allahabad), UP, Kanpur, Sahranpur, Khargone (Madhya Pradesh) and Jahangirpuri (Delhi)
Three United Nations Special Rapporteurs for Housing, Minority Issues, and Freedom of Religion, have written a letter dated 9th June to the Indian government allegedly strongly criticizing and protesting against arbitrary housing and property demolitions, ordered by local governments to punish Muslim minorities for inter-communal conflict between Hindus and Muslims. It’s believed their letter claims the government has carried out collective punishment against the minority Muslim community.
It’s said to cite quotations from the Madhya Pradesh Home Minister and senior state officials as proof of vindictive intention. Apparently, the letter says demolitions have been carried out without due process and without establishing proof of guilt. The Wire says that the three Rapporteurs express serious concern and ask the government to share with them the basis on which it has acted, the investigations it has carried out, and whether any prior consultation was held with the affected minority community. Unfortunately, the demolitions continued even after the letter was received by the government.
The Wire interview is with Prof. Balakrishnan Rajagopal,
Here is the link: