Kashmir’s Homeless Crisis: The Urgent Need for Shelter
In Srinagar, the lack of shelter for the homeless has left many abandoned, mentally unstable, and impoverished individuals struggling to survive on the streets. Despite the Department of Social Welfare being responsible for creating shelters, there is no concrete plan in place, leaving hundreds at the mercy of the elements year after year.
Officials from the Department of Social Welfare have admitted that there are no shelters for the homeless in Kashmir, except for a previous initiative that provided temporary accommodation for beggars and vocational training. However, there are ongoing efforts to create a shelter specifically for the elderly, which falls short of addressing the broader issue of homelessness.
Shelters for Urban Homeless (SUH) is a crucial component of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM). This program aims to provide permanent shelters with basic amenities to urban homeless individuals across various states and union territories, ensuring access to social security, education, healthcare, and skill training.
Despite the harsh winter conditions in Kashmir, many homeless individuals continue to endure freezing temperatures on pavements, bus stands, and hospital corridors. The lack of shelters exposes a significant humanitarian failure, with vulnerable populations, including the mentally ill, abandoned, and elderly, bearing the brunt of neglect.
It is the responsibility of states and union territories, as mandated by the Supreme Court of India, to establish functional shelters for the homeless, especially during winter, to protect the most vulnerable. The failure to provide adequate shelter reflects not just administrative apathy but a moral and collective failure of the government and society.
Doctors warn of the fatal consequences of prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, particularly for those suffering from malnutrition, mental illness, or substance dependence. Cases of hypothermia, frostbite, and untreated illnesses among the homeless highlight the urgent need for intervention and support.
The right to shelter is considered an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, emphasizing the fundamental importance of providing safe and secure housing for all individuals. As winter continues to grip Kashmir, the plight of the homeless demands immediate attention and action to prevent further suffering and loss of life.
