PUCL Gujarat slams ‘inhumane’ detentions and demolitions in Chandola, Ahmedabad

By A Representative

In a powerful and detailed statement issued today, the Gujarat chapter of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has condemned the recent mass detentions, public parading, and large-scale demolitions in the Chandola area of Ahmedabad. The civil liberties organization described the actions of the state as “inhumane and unconstitutional,” raising serious concerns about violations of fundamental human rights, particularly against marginalized communities.

PUCL's statement begins with a stark denunciation:

“The People’s Union for Civil Liberties, Gujarat strongly condemns the recent inhumane and unconstitutional actions of parading of detenues from Chandola area; and the evictions from Chandola followed by demolition of more than 1500 houses without providing for alternative housing.”

The events began in the early hours of April 26, when police personnel arrived at ‘Bengali Vas’, a densely populated locality near Chandola Lake. According to PUCL, the police forcibly entered homes, dragged people out, and transported them to the Kankaria Football Ground. A total of 890 people — including 457 men, 219 women, and 214 children — were detained. They were made to sit on the ground for hours in the growing heat of the morning.

Subsequently, the detainees were paraded through public roads at around 7:00 AM, covering the distance between the football ground and the offices of the Detection of Crime Branch and the Special Operations Group in Juhapura. PUCL described this treatment as deeply degrading:

“The modus operandi of the police wherein they barged into homes during the wee hours of the morning, the manner in which they were herded like cattle and made to walk more than 6-7 kms in the heat… are a violation of their fundamental rights as citizens.”

Family members were kept uninformed about the whereabouts or legal status of the detainees. The statement claims that relatives waited outside police stations in Shahibaug, Gaikwad Haveli, and Juhapura in sweltering heat, uncertain if their loved ones had been formally arrested or detained. PUCL also highlighted that authorities rejected valid identification documents in many cases, labeling them as forged, despite the fact that many of those detained were Indian citizens from states like Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and West Bengal.

PUCL challenged claims by state authorities that the detainees were illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The Gujarat Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, had alleged the presence of Bangladeshi nationals in the area, but PUCL argued that the majority were bona fide Indian citizens with documentary evidence to prove their residence.

Referring to constitutional protections under Articles 14 and 21, the organization stated:

“Even if some of those who were thus detained were from Bangladesh, under Article 14 and 21, every person staying within the territory of India is protected under certain human rights, such as equality before law and prevention of arbitrary or discriminatory detention.”

The organization further cited violations of the D.K. Basu Guidelines and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) protocols on custodial dignity.

“The actions of the police also constitute serious violations of the process of detention and arrest... It is extremely distressing that the police have ignored and violated the NHRC guidelines... public parading of detainees is considered a form of extrajudicial punishment and is discouraged or condemned.”

The situation worsened on April 29, when the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, under police protection, demolished over 1,500 housing units. PUCL claims these demolitions disproportionately targeted Muslim residents of the Chandola settlements.

Adding to the tragedy, nearly 2,500 children have reportedly been displaced, with their right to shelter and education thrown into uncertainty. PUCL criticized the government for demonstrating “a totally inhumane attitude to the people who have been living in that vicinity since at least 3-4 decades.”

A petition filed in the Gujarat High Court by affected citizens was heard on an emergency basis. While the court declined to stay the demolition — citing that the settlements were on a notified water body — it did observe that those who can prove residence prior to 2010 may be entitled to rehabilitation under the state’s Slum Rehabilitation Scheme.

PUCL concluded its statement with strong demands:

- Immediate compensation and rehabilitation for all working poor people whose homes have been demolished.

- Investigation and legal action against police officers responsible for the humiliation and violation of detainees' rights.

- Humane treatment and a fair legal process for individuals identified as foreign nationals.

“It is shameful and criminal that the police paraded the citizens of India (and perhaps suspected illegal immigrants too) who were arrested or detained, robbing them of their dignity, and also endangered their health by making them walk several kilometers in the summer heat. This is nothing short of custodial torture and totally unacceptable,” PUCL stated.

The statement is signed by Anand Yagnik, President of PUCL Gujarat, and Mujahid Nafees, General Secretary, calling for urgent accountability and justice for the victims of what they describe as a human rights crisis unfolding in Ahmedabad.

Comments

Grueling summer ahead: Cuttack’s alarming health trends and what they mean for Odisha

By Sudhansu R Das The preparation to face the summer should begin early in Odisha. People in the state endure long, grueling summer months starting from mid-February and extending until the end of October. This prolonged heat adversely affects productivity, causes deaths and diseases, and impacts agriculture, tourism and the unorganized sector. The social, economic and cultural life of the state remains severely disrupted during the peak heat months.

Stronger India–Russia partnership highlights a missed energy breakthrough

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India was widely publicized across several countries and has attracted significant global attention. The warmth with which Mr. Putin was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly noted, prompting policy planners worldwide to examine the implications of this cordial relationship for the global economy and political climate. India–Russia relations have stood on a strong foundation for decades and have consistently withstood geopolitical shifts. This is in marked contrast to India’s ties with the United States, which have experienced fluctuations under different U.S. administrations.

From natural farming to fair prices: Young entrepreneurs show a new path

By Bharat Dogra There have been frequent debates on agro-business companies not showing adequate concern for the livelihoods of small farmers. Farmers’ unions have often protested—generally with good reason—that while they do not receive fair returns despite high risks and hard work, corporate interests that merely process the crops produced by farmers earn disproportionately high profits. Hence, there is a growing demand for alternative models of agro-business development that demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting farmer livelihoods.

The Vande Mataram debate and the politics of manufactured controversy

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The recent Vande Mataram debate in Parliament was never meant to foster genuine dialogue. Each political party spoke past the other, addressing its own constituency, ensuring that clips went viral rather than contributing to meaningful deliberation. The objective was clear: to construct a Hindutva narrative ahead of the Bengal elections. Predictably, the Lok Sabha will likely expunge the opposition’s “controversial” remarks while retaining blatant inaccuracies voiced by ministers and ruling-party members. The BJP has mastered the art of inserting distortions into parliamentary records to provide them with a veneer of historical legitimacy.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

The cost of being Indian: How inequality and market logic redefine rights

By Vikas Gupta We, the people of India, are engaged in a daily tryst—read: struggle—for basic human rights. For the seemingly well-to-do, the wish list includes constant water supply, clean air, safe roads, punctual public transportation, and crime-free neighbourhoods. For those further down the ladder, the struggle is starker: food that fills the stomach, water that doesn’t sicken, medicines that don’t kill, houses that don’t flood, habitats at safe distances from polluted streams or garbage piles, and exploitation-free environments in the public institutions they are compelled to navigate.

Why India must urgently strengthen its policies for an ageing population

By Bharat Dogra A quiet but far-reaching demographic transformation is reshaping much of the world. As life expectancy rises and birth rates fall, societies are witnessing a rapid increase in the proportion of older people. This shift has profound implications for public policy, and the need to strengthen frameworks for healthy and secure ageing has never been more urgent. India is among the countries where these pressures will intensify most sharply in the coming decades.

Thota Sitaramaiah: An internal pillar of an underground organisation

By Harsh Thakor* Thota Sitaramaiah was regarded within his circles as an example of the many individuals whose work in various underground movements remained largely unknown to the wider public. While some leaders become visible through organisational roles or media attention, many others contribute quietly, without public recognition. Sitaramaiah was considered one such figure. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 65.

Proposals for Babri Masjid, Ram Temple spark fears of polarisation before West Bengal polls

By A Representative A political debate has emerged in West Bengal following recent announcements about plans for new religious structures in Murshidabad district, including a proposed mosque to be named Babri Masjid and a separate announcement by a BJP leader regarding the construction of a Ram temple in another location within Behrampur.

Search This Blog