Karnataka demolitions leave hundreds of Muslim families homeless, spark Congress–Left war of words
The Karnataka government's early-morning demolition drive in Bengaluru's Kogilu village left over 200 houses razed and nearly 400 families, mostly Muslims, homeless, triggering protests and a sharp political clash between the ruling Congress and the Kerala Left over allegations of "bulldozer raj".
New Delhi: The Karnataka government is facing sharp criticism after a large-scale demolition drive in Bengaluru razed more than 200 houses, rendering hundreds of people, most of them from the Muslim community, homeless. The action has snowballed into a political confrontation, with the Congress government coming under attack not just from the opposition but also from the Left leadership in neighbouring Kerala.
Early morning eviction drive
The eviction drive was carried out in the early hours of December 22 in Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout of Kogilu village, on the city’s outskirts. Beginning around 4 am, officials of the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML), assisted by around 150 police personnel and four JCB machines, demolished houses allegedly built on government land near a lake adjoining an Urdu Government School. Nearly 400 families were affected, many of whom were forced to spend nights outdoors during one of Bengaluru’s coldest spells this winter.
Encroachment claim contested
The Karnataka government has maintained that the structures were illegal encroachments on public land. However, residents have disputed the claim, saying they were not served any prior eviction notice and were forcibly removed by the police. Many families alleged that they had been living in the area for over two decades and possessed Aadhaar cards and voter identity documents. Most of those displaced are migrant workers engaged in daily-wage labour.
Anger over the demolitions has spilled onto the streets, with affected residents staging protests through the week. Demonstrations were also held near the residence of Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, while organisations such as the Dalit Sangharsha Samithi extended support to the agitation.
Kerala leaders slam Karnataka govt
The controversy took on an inter-state political dimension after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched a scathing attack on the Congress. In a post on X, Vijayan said, "Sadly, the Sangh Parivar's anti-minority politics is now being executed under a Congress government in Karnataka. When a regime rules through fear and brute force, constitutional values and human dignity become the first casualties.” Kerala Education Minister V Shivankutty also condemned the demolitions, calling them reminiscent of the Emergency era.
Leaders of the CPI(M) visited the eviction site, met displaced families, and announced the formation of an anti-demolition committee to coordinate protests.
Shivakumar hits back
Responding to the criticism, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar rejected allegations of "bulldozer politics,” claiming the land was an encroached waste dumpsite targeted by land mafia. "We gave people an opportunity to move to new places. We are not into bulldozers,” he said, while urging critics to understand the ground realities before commenting.