- By Shibra Arshad
- Sun, 28 Dec 2025 12:02 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bengaluru Demolition Drive: Congress is facing dissent from within the party and criticism from outside, as the demolition drive at Kogila Layout in Karnataka's Bengaluru has turned into a political controversy. However, the rare show of unity between CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar has come out as a silver lining for Congress.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have come together to defend the demolition act, pushing back against criticism of Kerala Chief Minister Pinnarayi Vijayan. On the other hand, Senior party leader KC Venugopal has urged the Karnataka government to act with compassion.
What Is The Bengaluru Demolition Controversy
The controversy erupted from the eviction of several families from Kogila Layout near Yelahanka on December 20, who had built make-shift shelters at the waste-disposal site. The drive attracted the criticism of the Kerala CM as Vijayan called the move an example of ‘bulldozer raj’.
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Karnataka leadership swiftly responded to the charge, with Shivakumar making a post on X. Describing the action as unavoidable and based on security concerns, Shivakumar said, “Several people had illegally erected makeshift shelters at the waste-disposal site in the Kogila Layout near Yelahanka. It is not a place suitable for human habitation.”
He wrote, “Despite issuing notices on multiple occasions directing the families to relocate, the residents failed to comply. Under these circumstances, it became unavoidable to clear the encroachment and vacate the site.”
What Did Vijayan Say
Criticising the demolition of Faqir colony and Waseem layout, Vijayan said, “The bulldozing of Faqir Colony and Waseem Layout in Bengaluru, uprooting Muslim families who have lived there for years, exposes the brutal normalisation of bulldozer raj.”
Siddaramaiah Rejects Bulldozer Justice Claim
Rejecting the Bulldozer justice tag, CM Siddaramaiah said that he had instructed officials to ensure immediate relief for those displaced and had directed the commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority to arrange temporary shelter, food, and other essentials.
Siddaramaiah said the “government will nevertheless ensure appropriate accommodation on humanitarian grounds,” adding, “There is a fundamental difference between ‘bulldozer justice’ and the lawful removal of illegal encroachments. The criticism being made by Pinarayi Vijayan is politically motivated and reflects a lack of understanding of the factual situation.”