Nipesh Narayanan’s research delves into the changing discourse and definitions of slums in the Indian Parliament from 1953 to 2014. The article examines the evolving narratives around slums by analyzing debates in the Rajya Sabha and policy documents. It highlights the role of urban disparity and how it influenced the government’s approach to slums. The research divides the five decades into four eras and explores the consequences of the changing definition of slums during these periods. The article also discusses the dangers of using slums as a driving force for anti-poverty policies and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of slums beyond numerical data.