Paper short abstract:

The restructuring of Delhi to meet the requirements of its globalisation-in-the making entailed large-scale slum demolitions and an increase of homeless population. This paper examines a mobilization campaign for the right to shelter of the homeless in the context of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Paper long abstract:

The socio-spatial restructuring of Delhi to meet the requirements of its globalisation-in-the-making was associated with large-scale slum demolitions and population displacement, which further entailed an increase of the homeless population.

This paper attempts first to assess the size and characteristics of the houseless population in Delhi and its evolution; it further analyses the factors and mechanisms that led to its increase by over 50% during the last decade.

The second section focuses on a mobilization campaign for the right to shelter of the homeless, which was triggered off in the context of "beautification" operations during the preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The forced eviction of a group of homeless from a temporary night shelter in winter, its dramatic consequences, and the ensuing protests provide an instance of scaling-up campaign and allows us: 1) to analyse the interplay of actors -a coalition of civil society organisations, the media, and the courts of justice- that contributed to the apparent success of this mobilization; 2) to tackle broader issues regarding the right to the city of homeless people.

Besides, the resettlement conditions of these homeless families in a municipal building demonstrates that creating a dependency on voluntary organisations' assistance does not provide a sustainable solution to homelessness and cannot be a substitute to a proper rehabilitation policy taking into account both housing needs and livelihood opportunities.

This case study further raises challenging questions on the modalities of mobilization by grass-root organisations and spaces for participation and contestation.