Is a mall worth this?

Ladies and children gather at dusk on Friday to talk about many issues plaguing them. Sexual assault is a big problem and many women and young girls are at risk. 1200 Women and 2000 children were evicted during the demolition of the EWS Ejipura quarters, Ejipura, Bangalore

The EWS Quarters in Ejipura, central Bangalore, were completed by the Karnataka government in 1991, to provide subsidised housing for poor families. This housing would be rightfully owned by residents through a lease-cum-sale agreement, though many of these original allottees would end up renting their properties to more needy tenants. What ensued from its construction till today is a continuous series of debacles that reveal a gross violation of the legal and human rights of the residents. 

Difficulties started right at the beginning with the life threatening construction of the quarters; they were continued by complete negligence of safety and health measures, resulting in 6 deaths.In January 2013, the residents faced the culmination of  2 decades of unresolved problems: a mass demolition of their homes, displacing 5000 people. Of these 1200 were women and 2000 children. 

The land that they were living on has been sold to Maverick Holdings (a private builder) to build a mall, even though this land was specifically earmarked by the government for those living below the poverty line. This sale by the BBMP (Bangalore’s city corporators) is still being questioned. Neither Maverick nor the government have provided any alternative housing option for residents, although this was mandated in earlier resolutions by the BBMP. The Karnataka Slum Development Board (KSDB) has claimed that they will build housing in the outskirts of the city. However, there are little or no livelihood opportunities in these areas, standards of education and living are poor, and they claim completion will take at least two more years. The issue of rehabilitation looms unresolved. 
Years have gone by while the state government, Maverick, and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties try to battle this issue in court. The big players are constantly using loopholes to pass the buck of responsibility while moving ahead with this contentious project. Meanwhile, families live on the roads and pavements amidst garbage and filth under tarpaulin covers, breadwinners have lost their jobs, children have missed school as the demolitions were just prior to the all important yearly exams (their key to a better life), and mothers nurse newborn babies amidst rats and walk three kilometers away from the nearest paid bathroom. As of now no solution is in sight for the people of Ejipura. Will they get the one thing they plead for as a community: a rightfully deserved roof over their heads? How long will the parties involved fight over this case while families suffer on the road for no fault of their own?

John Peter (21) has lived in EWS Quarters Ejipura his entire life or “A to Z” as he puts it. He stands defiantly in front of the fencing put up by the BBMP and Maverick Holdings to keep people from the land

 MLA N.A. Haris (Congress), who represents the Shantinagar constituency, addresses Ejipura evictees during the March 2013 meeting that was called to share plans of new housing in Sarjapur to be completed in two years. Now, 6 years later, the housing is yet to be completed. 

Jayanthi, 17, was 7 months pregnant when she was evicted from her home. Living in filth, without access to a toilet or medical attention, she struggled with her advanced pregnancy.

Palliniswamy, 60, sleeps in a giant pipe link on the road. He lived in EWS Ejipura for 20 years before being evicted.

Anthonyamma, 56, works as a canteen cleaner from 6 AM to midnight. She has lived in Ejipura, Bangalore, for 20 years, but now uses a banner from a local church as a roof and wall
Anthonyamma, 56, works as a canteen cleaner from 6 AM to midnight. She has lived in Ejipura, Bangalore, for 20 years, but now uses a banner from a local church as a roof and wall
Susairaj, 23, used to be employed as an office assistant. He was fired when his employers discovered that he was living on the street. His son, Kevin, was two in this photo. Susairaj has spent 18 years at the EWS quarters at Ejipura.
Susairaj, 23, used to be employed as an office assistant. He was fired when his employers discovered that he was living on the street. His son, Kevin, was two in this photo. Susairaj has spent 18 years at the EWS quarters at Ejipura.
Parveen Taj, 40, is a single mother of six. Her husband has remarried. She is a candid critic of how they were all evicted and has a clear grasp of the history and politics involved.Her insights very invaluable for me and the grass roots organisations to have a deeper understanding of the affected citizens of EWS Ejipura. 

Sarla (40) is an acid attack survivor, who was homeless and unemployed. She still finds joy and pride in her dog Caeser

 Violet, 70, and her husband used to live in the neighbouring Yellanagar slum (Image 3). When that was demolished, they moved into EWS Ejipura. Evicted for the second time, she stood in the only space she had, with no walls or even a sheet over her head. Her few belongings were rotting in the rain. The new housing that was supposed to be ready for Yellanagar slum residents like her months ago was in a half finished crumbling state years after it was to be completed leaving residents like Violet out on the street. Event this crumbling edifice was occupied by squatters.

At the very outset I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the people of EWS Ejipura who kindly consented to collaborate on this documentation. I would also like to thank Dr.Sylvia Karpagam, Karthik Ranganathan, Rumi Harish and all the grass roots workers and activists without whom I wouldn't have had a nuanced understanding of the people's struggle. These photos, words and audio were used for advocacy, activism and human rights publications on this issue.
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