Shaheen Bagh dadi: 94-year-old ailing Asma Khatoon’s grandson talks about her health.
Asma Khatoon, 94, who was the face of Shaheen Bagh’s sit-in against CAA and NRC months ago, has been discharged from a Delhi-based hospital where she was undergoing treatment after contracting dengue, according to her grandson Anisur Rahman.
She is now in her house in Okhla and her condition has improved a lot with her platelet count bouncing back to normal, said Rahman, adding that she was getting treatment at AIIMs and family members were deeply worried after her platelet rate has gone down to 20 thousands.
Okhla residents came to know about her health through Rahman. “She is unwell and has stopped eating food for the last two days, please pray for her quick recovery,” wrote Rahman on his timeline a few days ago. Also, he shared a photo of her undergoing treatment.
Asma Khatoon is originally from Sitamarhi in Bihar and her husband Maulana Abdul Hasan died nine years ago, according to a media report. She had come to Delhi to visit her granddaughter in December but become part of the peaceful sit-in, said the report.
Asma Khatoon has 8 children, including 4 sons and 4 daughters with two sons residing in Delhi and her one grandson also resides in Jamia Nagar with his family.
Over the years, Shaheen Bagh has transformed from a quiet residential pocket into a high-density urban neighbourhood, home to a large number of migrants from Bihar and other States. With the arrival of the metro, the area became better connected to the rest of Delhi, further fuelling its rapid growth.
In recent years, it has also emerged as a popular destination for food lovers across the Capital. The 40 Foota Road, locally known as the “foodies’ hub”, buzzes with energy, especially in the evenings. From street snacks to full-course meals at modest prices, the area draws crowds of all ages who hang around till late into the night.
Old-timers in Shaheen Bagh still vividly recall a time barely two decades ago when the area was largely overlooked, its dusty lanes and underdeveloped infrastructure discouraging even the most modest property investments. In those days, few were willing to settle here, and real estate had little appeal for buyers who preferred more “established” neighbourhoods of Abul Fazal Enclave, Batla House, Zakir Nagar, Johri Farm and other places.
But the tide began to turn after builder lobby started developing it. The Kalindi Kunj–Sarita Vihar road opened up new access routes and improved connectivity to the rest of Delhi. Alongside this came a noticeable shift in the housing pattern, as independent homes gave way to multi-storey flats. This rise of the “flat culture” not only changed the skyline but also attracted a wave of outsiders, students, professionals, and small business owners, drawn by the affordability and convenience the area offered.
One of the most compelling magnets for this influx was the presence of Jamia Millia Islamia, a Central university just a stone’s throw away. Its academic pull, combined with the area’s growing network of amenities, positioned Shaheen Bagh as a viable residential option for a diverse population. Over time, what was once a neglected corner of South Delhi evolved into a vibrant, if congested, locality with a distinct identity of its own.
Despite the rapid transformation and rising property values, many long-time residents of Shaheen Bagh expressed concern over the glaring lack of basic civic amenities. As the population has surged, infrastructure has struggled to keep up.
“Where one family used to live on a single plot of land, now a multi-storey building houses more than 50 families,” said Babbar Khan, a local resident. “This has put immense pressure on our basic infrastructure, which was never designed for such density.”
The consequences are visible on the ground. Waterlogging has become a regular affair during the monsoon, while overflowing sewer lines and unattended garbage piles mar the streets year-round. Residents argue that while the locality has grown “out of proportion” in terms of construction and population, the civic infrastructure, drainage, waste management, and sanitation, remains stuck in the past.
There is a growing sense of alarm among residents that if urgent steps are not taken to improve the crumbling infrastructure and civic upkeep, Shaheen Bagh may soon become unlivable. What was once a promising residential pocket risks sliding into chaos, with unchecked urbanisation threatening to overwhelm the very foundations that support daily life.
