Ensure that homeless aren’t denied access to night shelters, civil society groups urge DUSIB

Over 20 civil society groups on Wednesday wrote to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, seeking its urgent intervention to ensure that homeless persons are not denied access to night shelters for not being able to produce Aadhaar cards or share their cell phone numbers. “With Delhi experiencing one of its coldest winters in 14 years, with temperatures dropping to as low as 4.9 degrees Celsius, this discriminatory practice poses a severe threat to the lives of vulnerable populations,” read the letter signed by several organisations including Basti Suraksha Manch, Nirmaan Mazdoor Adhikaar Abhiyan, Delhi Rozi Roti Abhiyan, Shehri Mahila Kamgaar Union, and Slum Dwellers Federation. Citing Supreme Court orders, the civil society groups said the apex court had mandated the Delhi government to provide shelter and food to homeless individuals and that the right to dignified shelter is an essential component of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution while accusing DUSIB of violating court’s orders. The civil society groups also urged DUSIB to expand shelter capacity, improve the quality of facilities, and provide essentials like blankets, mattresses, functional toilets, drinking water, and food.