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 (DUSIB), 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.

Over 20 civil society groups on Wednesday wrote to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), 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.

The move comes days after a report by The Hindu found several homeless people sleeping outside night shelters after being denied access on the grounds of not providing Aadhaar cards and 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.

“According to the Centre for Holistic Development, 180 homeless individuals died from exposure to the cold in Delhi in 2023. With temperatures plummeting further this year, immediate measures are crucial to prevent a repeat of such tragedies,” the letter read.

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.

The groups emphasised the need for proactive identification and assistance to homeless individuals during winter to ensure no one is left exposed to life-threatening conditions due to “administrative formalities”. The appeal also called for sensitising shelter staff to the vulnerabilities of the homeless and ensuring a compassionate, non-discriminatory approach while providing shelter services.