Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has launched a sharp rebuttal against his Kerala counterpart, Pinarayi Vijayan, for criticising a recent eviction drive in Bengaluru. Vijayan had termed the action "North Indian bulldozer justice," a remark Siddaramaiah dismissed as "politically motivated" and lacking an understanding of the ground reality.
The Eviction Drive and Kerala CM's Criticism
The controversy stems from the demolition of makeshift shelters at a waste-disposal site in Kogilu Layout near Yelahanka, Bengaluru. The state government stated that several people had illegally erected shelters on the land, which was deemed unfit for human habitation. Authorities claimed they issued multiple notices to the residents, who failed to relocate voluntarily.
In a Facebook post, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned the action, describing the demolition of Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout as "extremely shocking and painful." He alleged that Muslims had been living in the area for years and accused the Karnataka government of adopting a "North Indian bulldozer justice model." Vijayan questioned how the Congress-led government in Karnataka could carry out forced evictions instead of ensuring housing for the poor, calling it an example of "anti-minority aggressive politics."
Karnataka's Firm Defence and Counterattack
Responding to the allegations, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah drew a clear distinction. "There is a fundamental difference between 'bulldozer justice' and the lawful removal of illegal encroachments," he asserted. He defended the drive by emphasising that the site was a waste-disposal area and not suitable for living.
"Temporary shelter, food, and other essential facilities would be arranged for all those affected," Siddaramaiah stated, outlining the government's rehabilitation plan. He insisted that the action was a last resort after repeated notices were ignored, making the clearance unavoidable.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also joined the fray, criticising Vijayan. "Senior leaders like Pinarayi Vijayan should know the issues in Bengaluru. We know our city well, and we don't want to entertain slums that promote land mafia activities," Shivakumar said, framing the eviction as a move against illegal land grabs rather than a targeted action.
Political Ripples and the Way Forward
The exchange highlights the growing political tension between the Congress-ruled Karnataka and the CPI(M)-led Kerala government. Vijayan's criticism puts the national opposition alliance's internal disagreements on display, while Siddaramaiah's firm response underscores his government's stance on enforcing the rule of law regarding encroachments.
The Karnataka administration maintains that its actions were purely administrative and lawful, aimed at clearing dangerous, illegal settlements. The state's commitment to providing temporary relief to the displaced families is now under scrutiny as the political debate over "bulldozer justice" versus "lawful eviction" continues to unfold.
