Eight thousand homes were demolished, leaving thousands more homeless. This was no ordinary anti-encroachment operation but, according to the Gujarat government, a question of national security.

The state government claimed that 1200-1500 people were detained as “Bangladeshis” — but 90% of them turned out to be Indian citizens. Yet the houses of many families who had Aadhaar cards, voter IDs and ration cards were demolished.

The Gujarat high court has refused to stay the demolitions, citing the state’s submission on national security. However, as per reports, families say they were not served notices and had no time to relocate.

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