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first big rally In its first major demonstration since the BJP came to power in the Capital earlier this year, the Delhi unit of Congress is set to hold a protest against the ruling party on Monday over the recent demolition in slum clusters in the city, among other issues.
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Sources suggested Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, may make an appearance at the protest. Gandhi, in Delhi for the Parliament’s Monsoon session, has in the past dropped in unannounced at local party protests in the city.
“His appearance tomorrow would not be out of character… there is a huge possibility he might show up,” a Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee office (DPCC) functionary said.
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The demonstration is set to begin at the Sushruta Trauma Centre near Chandgi Ram Akhara and proceed to the Delhi Assembly, where the Monsoon session begins Monday.
Since the BJP came to power in the Capital, the Congress’s Delhi unit has claimed that over 3,000 jhuggi-jhopri dwellings have been razed, displacing nearly 15,000 families.
Last month, Gandhi visited the Ashok Vihar slum cluster in Jailorwala Bagh, where hundreds of homes were demolished in June as part of an ongoing anti-encroachment drive. Videos shared by the Congress on social media showed Gandhi walking through the debris, speaking to residents who said they were left homeless.
In addition to demolitions, Congress leaders claimed the protest will highlight “broader grievances” — law and order, drug proliferation, and unfulfilled BJP poll promises like the monthly stipend of Rs 2,500 for women and its promise to end the perennial monsoon water-logging woes in the city.
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This protest comes at a significant moment for the Delhi Congress — after nearly a decade of marginalisation following the fall of the Sheila Dikshit-led government, the party has been attempting to regain the ground it lost to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Slum dwellers, who once were the backbone of the Congress’s vote bank, had shifted to AAP after the Anna Andolan.
On Sunday, ahead of its protest, the party released a video compilation on its social media platforms, juxtaposing two statements made by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The first, from May, features Gupta assuring the media that slums in Delhi would not be demolished. The second clip is from her response to Gandhi’s recent visit to the Ashok Vihar demolition site, where she remarked that the Chief Minister “cannot protect illegal colonies”.
Posting the video, the Delhi Congress captioned it: “How can we trust her promises now?”.
Several Congress MPs also raised the issue of demolitions in Delhi in Parliament.
“We’ll March for Their Homes”: Delhi Congress Rallies Against Slum Demolitions as Rahul Gandhi Hovers
New Delhi, August 5, 2025 – In a powerful revival of public protest energy, the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) launched its first major demonstration since the BJP seized power in the capital earlier this year. The target: sweeping slum demolitions across the city—an issue sending shockwaves through affected communities and political circles alike.
Setting the Stage: A March for the Displaced
The demonstration began at Sushruta Trauma Centre near Chandgi Ram Akhara and culminated at the Delhi Assembly as the monsoon session kicked off. The rally was more than just a march—it was a stand for justice, dignity, and the lost dreams of thousands uprooted by bulldozers. Delhi Congress claimed that over 3,000 jhuggi-jhopri dwellings were razed, displacing nearly 15,000 families.The Indian ExpressThe New Indian Express
Leading the protest was Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav, flanked by determined party workers holding banners demanding in-situ rehabilitation. As they moved forward, police responded with water cannons to disperse the crowd, resulting in multiple detentions.The New Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi: The Possible Surprise Guest
Adding further intrigue was the potential presence of Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, who is in Delhi for the Parliament’s Monsoon session. According to insiders, Rahul dropping in wouldn’t be unexpected—he’s known for turning up unannounced at local protests.The Indian Express
Just weeks earlier, he visited the torn-down slums in Ashok Vihar’s Jailorwala Bagh and Wazirpur, where he met displaced families, heard their grievances, and pledged to carry their fight through courtrooms and Parliament.The Indian ExpressThe Times of India
The Political Message: Accountability, Compassion, and Cultural Capital
For the Delhi Congress, this rally was a twofold comeback—both political and moral. Once a key player in defending Delhi’s slum-dwelling communities, the party had seen its influence wane, overtaken by the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) rise. This moment is a bid to reassert itself as the true guardians of Delhi’s marginalized.The Indian Express
They also seized on a glaring contradiction: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had previously assured that slums would not be demolished, only to later acknowledge her inability to “protect illegal colonies.” Congress juxtaposed these two statements in a video shared widely on social media, captioning it, “How can we trust her promises now?”The Indian Express
Beyond demolitions, the demonstration spotlighted broader grievances: rising crime and drugs, broken election pledges like the monthly ₹2,500 stipend for women, and the persistent monsoon waterlogging issues that plague the city each year.The Indian Express
Reaction and Resonance
Devender Yadav underscored the impact of Rahul Gandhi’s visit, claiming it forced the Delhi government to pause further demolitions until alternate accommodations could be arranged. The protest, he said, was just the beginning—Congress cadres would reach out to every affected JJ (jhuggi-jhopri) cluster in solidarity.The New Indian Express
Amid the clamor, the protest wove together nostalgia and new momentum. It draws on Indira Gandhi’s ideals—“a roof over their heads and jobs for those who come to Delhi seeking opportunity”—and the legacy of Sheila Dikshit’s resettlement efforts, positioning the BJP government as abandoning those principles.The New Indian Express
Final Thoughts
As Delhi’s political landscape shifts, the Congress rally is more than protest—it’s a statement: the poor are not voiceless, and their homes are not expendable. With Rahul Gandhi’s possible appearance further amplifying the message, Congress aims to reconnect with slum dwellers and stake its claim as their advocate.
Whether this marks a lasting resurgence for Delhi Congress, or a symbolic moment, the displaced families and city watchers alike will be watching closely. After all, in a city of contrasts, every demolished home stirs pain and political ambition alike. Let me know if you’d like to expand with visuals, personal stories from affected residents, or a timeline of Delhi’s housing policies.