Azharuddin Mohammed, the young child who played young Salim Malik in "Slumdog Millionaire" is now homeless today after his family's tiny hut in the slums of Mumbai was torn down.  The ten year-old child's house was bulldozed by local authorities in Bandra East in a demolition that was not relayed to the family, making this incredibly surprising.  Indian cops even beat Azharuddin Mohammed with a bamboo stick to force him out of his home.

"We are homeless, we have nowhere to go," Mohammed said.

Azharuddin Mohammed and his family were asleep when the Indian authorities came in and ordered them to get out.  Their home, which was made out of blankets and bamboo sticks, was there illegally according to municipal official, Uma Shankar Mistry, who was present during the demolition. 

The BBC reports that Azharuddin Mohammed and his parents had been living in a makeshift shelter comprised of plastic sheets and bamboo sticks in Bandra East. However, they were forced out by authorities who said they and others were squatting on government-owned property intended to be a public garden. The reason for the bulldozing was so that the garden could be built as well to free up space to figure out how to prevent flooding in the area.  A monsoon is expected to hit Mumbai next month.  The tents and shacks were subsequently torn down, leaving Mohmamed, his family, and many others without a home.

"Our house has been broken down by officials. We have not been given any alternate accommodation. Earlier the authorities had said they would give us a house. But I don't think that will happen anymore," Azharuddin's mother Shamim Ismail said.  She said she does not know what will happen to her family now.

There is a trust fund for the children set up by "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle for when they are older.  They have also been promised better schooling and a new place to live in a safer area of Mumbai.  Rubina Ali's family has refused those requests to move for now.  After seeing what is going on with Mohammed' family, they might have to reconsider.

This family needs help immediately.  It would be such a shame that any of these families have to be forced to be homeless, let alone Azharuddin's family.  It's incredible to think that just three months earlier, he was on the same stage as his "Slumdog Millionaire" cast mates sharing in the glory of winning the Oscar for Best Picture.  Now, he is without a home in the slums.  This is nothing short of sad and if nobody steps up to help he and his family out, this will not end well.

Who do you feel needs to step up and give this child a better life?  Feel free your post your thoughts on this sad situation and see the grim photos of what he used to call home.