The Congress party's central leadership has raised strong objections to a recent demolition drive conducted by its own party's government in Karnataka. The action, which took place in Bengaluru's Kogilu village, led to the eviction of numerous settlers and has sparked a political controversy within the party ranks.
Congress Leadership Conveys "Serious Concern"
On Saturday, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) expressed "serious concern" over the manner in which the Karnataka government carried out the demolition. Party general secretary KC Venugopal personally intervened, speaking to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Venugopal conveyed that such actions required "far greater caution, sensitivity, and compassion" and should have kept the "human impact at the centre." He detailed this communication in a post on the social media platform X.
Following the discussion, Venugopal stated that the state's top leaders assured him they would personally engage with the affected families. They promised to establish a proper grievance redressal mechanism and ensure rehabilitation and relief for those impacted by the drive.
Karnataka Government's Justification
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy defended the demolition, stating it was a necessary action against illegal encroachment. They clarified that the cleared site in Kogilu Layout near Yelahanka was a waste-disposal area and not suitable for human habitation.
The CM explained that several people had illegally erected makeshift shelters on the land. Despite the authorities issuing multiple notices directing the families to relocate, the residents failed to comply. "Under these circumstances, it became unavoidable to clear the encroachment and vacate the site," Siddaramaiah said.
He emphasized that the government was arranging temporary shelter, food, and other essential facilities for all those affected, distinguishing the action from arbitrary "bulldozer justice."
Political Crossfire and Accusations
The incident drew criticism from Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who labelled the demolition an example of "anti-minority aggressive politics." This remark triggered a sharp rebuttal from the Karnataka leadership.
CM Siddaramaiah hit back, calling Vijayan's comments "politically motivated" and indicative of a "lack of understanding of the factual situation." He stressed a clear difference between lawful removal of illegal encroachments and the politicized concept of bulldozer justice.
The episode highlights the delicate balance the Congress government in Karnataka must maintain between enforcing the rule of law and addressing humanitarian concerns, while also managing political narratives from opposing parties.
