Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has firmly countered his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan's criticism of the recent eviction drive in Bengaluru, stating that the demolished structures at Kogilu Layout were illegal and makeshift shelters built on a waste dump site. The action, which took place on Saturday, December 27, 2025, led to the eviction of approximately 188 families, a significant number of whom were impoverished Muslim households.
The Official Stance: A Necessary Action Against Encroachment
In a detailed statement issued on social media, CM Siddaramaiah characterised the demolition solely as a removal of encroachments. He emphasised that the area in question was unfit for human habitation, being located on a dump site. The Chief Minister asserted that despite multiple notices being issued to the families directing them to relocate, the residents failed to comply. "Under these circumstances," he stated, "it became unavoidable to clear the encroachment and vacate the site."
Siddaramaiah also highlighted that most of the residents were migrant workers and not locals. On humanitarian grounds, he said, the Greater Bengaluru Authority commissioner had been instructed to arrange temporary shelter, food, and other essential facilities for the displaced families.
Political Crossfire: 'Politically Motivated' Remarks
The Karnataka CM's statement was a direct response to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's comments, which had described the eviction as an instance of 'bulldozer justice'. Siddaramaiah dismissed this criticism as "politically motivated" and claimed it showed a lack of understanding of the ground situation. This exchange has ignited a political debate between the two Congress and CPI(M)-led state governments.
Deputy CM D K Shivakumar had also earlier responded to Vijayan's criticism. Furthermore, activists noted that the government's response and the instruction for humanitarian aid came only after Vijayan's statement and a subsequent visit to the demolition site by Kerala CPI(M) MP A A Rahim.
The Ground Reality: Claims of No Notice and Sudden Eviction
Contradicting the government's version, accounts from activists and residents paint a starkly different picture of the eviction process. Pooja, a member of the Dhudiyuva Janara Vedike, a citizens' forum assisting marginalised groups, claimed that no prior notice was given to the residents before the demolition.
"No member of the community knew about it," she said. "The marshal came with JCBs early in the morning at 6 am and asked people to remove gas stoves and cylinders from their houses without giving them adequate time to take out their belongings." She alleged the authorities chose the early hour deliberately to avoid media attention and potential halting of the process.
Pooja added that many families had lived in the area for a very long time—some for over 10 years, and others for 20-30 years. Following the demolition, these families have been left living under the open sky, facing an immediate crisis of shelter and security. The eviction specifically targeted settlements in Faqir Colony and Wasim Layout within Kogilu Layout.
The incident underscores the ongoing tension between urban development, enforcement of law, and the plight of vulnerable migrant communities in India's major cities. While the state government maintains it acted against illegal structures after due process, the affected families and their advocates allege a sudden and brutal displacement that has left them homeless.
