HASAN- Hero to Homeless: The Heartbreaking Demolition of a Rescuer’s House in New Delhi!

From Hero to Homeless: The Heartbreaking Demolition of a Rescuer’s House in New Delhi!

ARABINDA RABHA

In a shocking turn of events, Wakeel Hasan, the man hailed as a hero for his pivotal role in rescuing 41 men from a collapsed Himalayan tunnel, found himself without a home after authorities razed his house in New Delhi.

Once celebrated across India for his bravery, Hasan is now grappling with the ruins of his demolished dwelling, a stark representation of his sudden fall from grace.

Just three months ago, Hasan and his team of “rat-hole miners” dug tirelessly by hand for 26 hours to free trapped workers in Uttarakhand, earning national acclaim. Their efforts were lauded by the likes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan.

However, the hero’s narrative took a tragic twist when Hasan received a distressing call from his daughter Aliza, informing him that their house was being demolished by the police.

Amidst the chaos, Aliza and her brother Azeem attempted to thwart the police’s entry but were forcibly removed and allegedly assaulted, an incident captured on video by onlookers.

The demolition, orchestrated by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), was justified on grounds of the house being illegal, despite Hasan’s insistence of possession of legitimate documents, including a government-issued electricity bill.

The DDA’s actions, controlled by Modi’s central government, have come under scrutiny, with accusations of targeting the minority Muslim community—a sentiment echoed by labour rights activist Sucheta De and lawyer Kawalpreet Kaur. The latter challenged the government’s delayed response if the property was indeed illegal.

In the backdrop of New Delhi’s complex urban landscape, where millions reside in grey legal zones, the threat of demolition looms large, exacerbated by allegations of corruption and bribery.

Hasan himself recounted an incident in 2016 where he and his neighbor allegedly paid a hefty bribe to avoid demolition, only to be threatened again by new officials.

The demolition of Hasan‘s house seems to fall within a broader pattern of targeting Muslim properties by Indian authorities, particularly in BJP-governed states. Amnesty International reports cite “punitive” demolitions rendering hundreds of Muslims homeless or without livelihoods.

Despite reaching out to political figures who had previously supported him, Hasan’s pleas went unanswered. Manoj Tiwari, the BJP parliamentarian from Hasan’s constituency, promised a probe into the demolition but dismissed any communal angle to the incident.

The loss of Hasan’s home, purchased through lifelong savings and still under financial obligation, has left the family devastated and contemplating a challenging legal fight ahead. As Hasan’s daughter poignantly remarked, the authorities may as well have buried them with the house.

In light of these events, Hasan’s story raises critical questions about the vulnerability of minorities, the integrity of urban governance, and the fleeting nature of heroism in the face of systemic injustice. As the nation prepares for general elections, the demolition of Wakeel Hasan’s house stands as a sobering reminder of the fragility of recognition and the enduring battles for basic human dignity.

Given the unfolding circumstances, the experiences of Hasan offer a profound examination into the susceptibility of marginalized groups to harm and neglect. His narrative prompts a necessary interrogation into the structural soundness and ethical foundations of the mechanisms that govern our cities and urban spaces.

Additionally, it casts a spotlight on the transient and often ephemeral perception of heroism when it confronts the relentless and pervasive forces of systemic inequity.

As the country readies itself for the forthcoming general elections, the razing of Wakeel Hasan’s home symbolizes a poignant testament to the delicate nature of societal acknowledgment and commendation. It underscores the ongoing struggle and the persistent fight that many individuals face in their quest for the most fundamental aspects of respect and human rights.

This incident not only challenges the collective conscience of the nation but also serves as a stark illustration of the continuous effort required to safeguard and uphold the values of justice and equality for all citizens, particularly those who find themselves on the peripheries of society.

03-03-2024

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