Pinarayi Vijayan slams Karnataka Congress government over ‘bulldozer action’ in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched a sharp attack on the Karnataka Congress government, accusing it of adopting a “bulldozer policy” similar to that followed in Uttar Pradesh.
Reacting to the demolition of Muslim settlements in Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout near Kogilu village in Yelahanka, Vijayan termed the action “deeply distressing” and alleged that minority families were being pushed onto the streets without warning.
In a strongly worded post on social media platform X, the Kerala Chief Minister said that Muslim families who had been living in the area for several years were suddenly evicted, leaving them homeless in the middle of winter.
“In the cold weather, children and women have been forced onto the streets. Where are these families supposed to go?” he questioned, expressing concern over the humanitarian consequences of the demolitions.
Vijayan accused the Karnataka Congress government of following what he called “bulldozer raj”, a term often used to criticise demolition drives carried out in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh. “By evicting Muslim families who had been living for years in Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout in Bengaluru, the Karnataka Congress government is now adopting bulldozer raj,” he wrote.
He further alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka was succumbing to the minority-opposed politics of the Sangh Parivar. “It is deeply unfortunate that the Congress government in Karnataka is now imitating the anti-minority politics of the Sangh Parivar.
When governance is driven by fear and cruelty, constitutional values and human dignity become the first casualties,” Vijayan stated. Calling for unity among secular and democratic forces, the Kerala Chief Minister urged collective resistance against what he described as a dangerous trend. “All secular and democratic forces must come together to oppose and defeat this deceptive and authoritarian tendency,” he added.
Demolition drive near Kogilu
The criticism comes in the backdrop of a major eviction drive carried out by the Bengaluru North Urban local body authorities near Kogilu Bande. Officials demolished more than 150 unauthorised sheds and sheet houses that had been constructed on land earmarked for the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML).
According to officials, the land in question measures around 14.36 acres and has been reserved for key waste-processing infrastructure, including a bio-methanisation plant, animal rendering and incineration units, coconut shell processing and sanitary waste treatment facilities. It is alleged that around five acres of this land had been encroached upon illegally.
The demolition was carried out using nine tractors and nine JCB machines. Authorities claimed the action was necessary to reclaim government land and proceed with public utility projects.
Local anger and protests
However, the drive triggered strong protests from local residents, who alleged that the demolitions were carried out without prior notice. Many affected families claimed they were not given sufficient time to vacate or make alternative arrangements.
“We were living here for years. Suddenly, they came and razed our homes,” protested residents, accusing the authorities of acting in a high-handed manner. The eviction has sparked outrage among civil rights groups and opposition leaders, who have questioned the timing and manner of the action.
With political reactions pouring in from outside the state as well, the demolition drive has now turned into a larger debate over governance, minority rights, and the balance between development projects and humanitarian considerations in Karnataka.
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