The holy month of Ramzan has begun, but for 35 Muslim families in Hyderabad’s Bistiwada area, it’s a month of hardships and struggles. These families, who are descendants of those who served the Nizam, are spending their days and nights on the streets, observing the Ramzan fast on the road.
Last month, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) pulled down their dwellings, leaving them homeless. The families, including children and senior citizens, are living with their belongings spread out on the streets.
Did not get time to seek legal remedy
These families have been living in the Bistiwada area for six generations, and they have power bills, water bills, and property tax receipts. Fouzia Sultan, a member of one of the affected families, stated that the land was allotted to her grandfather, an ex-serviceman, in 1951. The property was registered in 1981, and the problem started in 1996 when it was claimed that the land belonged to the government.
In 1996, a stay order was obtained, but on February 5 of this year, claimants to the property were asked to visit the GHMC office at Khairatabad. Upon reaching there, officials informed them that they had to leave the property along with their belongings by February 17.
Though, the families started the process to seek legal remedy, on February 13, they were asked to leave the premises along with their belongings as the GHMC would pull down their dwellings on February 14. As informed, GHMC officials pulled down their dwellings on February 14, leaving them homeless.
Families observing Ramzan fast on Hyderabad road
Now, in the holy month of Ramzan, these families are facing immense difficulties. They have nowhere to go and are spending their days and nights on the street, observing the Ramzan fast on the road.
As it is a heartbreaking situation, the government should take swift action to provide them with a roof over their heads.
