BENGALURU, Dec 27: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar strongly rebutted Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s criticism of the recent Bengaluru demolition drive, asserting that the Congress government does not practice “bulldozer culture” and acted only to protect government land from encroachment.
Shivakumar’s sharp response came after Vijayan accused the Karnataka government of normalizing “bulldozer raj” and engaging in “anti-minority politics” following the demolition of over 200 houses in Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout in Kogilu village on December 22.
In a post on social media, Vijayan described the action as “extremely shocking and painful,” stating that the displacement of Muslim families who had lived there for years exposes the “brutal normalisation” of bulldozer justice. He questioned how a Congress-led government could justify forced evictions and accused Karnataka of adopting the “North Indian bulldozer justice model”.
Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, Shivakumar said Vijayan had commented “without knowing the facts of the matter”. He explained that the demolished structures stood on encroached government land designated as a solid waste dumping site with serious health hazards.
“We don’t have bulldozer culture. I appeal to Pinarayi Vijayan not to talk like that. We are only protecting government land in the middle of the city,” the Deputy CM stated. He described Vijayan’s remarks as “political gimmicks” ahead of the upcoming Kerala elections.
Shivakumar alleged that land mafia elements set up slums to encroach upon government land at later stages. He assured that eligible residents would be rehabilitated under the Rajiv Gandhi housing scheme.
The Deputy CM emphasized that the Congress government had provided housing to lakhs of poor people in the state and dismissed allegations of minority targeting. “This has nothing to do with minorities. If there is anyone who is genuinely affected, we will provide them with housing elsewhere,” he said.
https://youtu.be/YtQYUNSznow?si=20HvoKpLO-WaDmRW
The demolition drive, conducted by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited with heavy police deployment, left nearly 400 families homeless. Many affected residents, predominantly migrant laborers, claimed they had lived in the area for over two decades and possessed Aadhaar cards and voter IDs.
Protests erupted across the city, with demonstrators gathering near Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda’s residence. Several organizations, including Dalit Sangharsha Samithi and Praja Vimochana Chaluvali, demanded alternative housing and temporary shelters for displaced families.
