Villagers protest at Jantar Mantar over neglected civic amenities

Residents of Delhi’s 360 villages staged an indefinite protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday, expressing their frustration over poor civic conditions. The demonstration was led by Palam 360 Khap chief Surender Solanki, who emphasised that the rural belt would no longer tolerate neglect from political parties.

The protesters highlighted severe issues such as waterlogged streets, broken roads and inadequate sanitation, which had turned many villages into slum-like environments. Solanki said locals lived in a constant fear of diseases due to such deplorable conditions.

Despite previous dialogues, including a mahapanchayat on September 15, where some progress was acknowledged, villagers remain dissatisfied. They demand immediate action from the Lieutenant Governor and the Delhi Government to resolve these long-standing issues.

“Villages have been neglected, and any party that fails to address our concerns will not be welcomed in the upcoming elections,” Solanki warned.

The villagers seek transformative change, not mere promises. Solanki said they were prepared to boycott the Delhi Assembly elections if their problems remained unaddressed.