Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly criticised the demolition of houses at Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout in Bengaluru, calling the action “shocking and painful” and questioning the role of the Congress-led government in Karnataka.
‘Shocking and painful’, says Kerala CM
In a social media post on Friday, Vijayan said the bulldozer demolition of homes in Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout — areas where residents from a particular community have lived for several years — amounted to a grave injustice. He said families were forced to flee after their houses were razed, leaving them on the streets during peak winter.
“What is seen in Karnataka is yet another form of the anti-minority moves carried out by Sangh Parivar outfits in northern states,” Vijayan alleged, drawing parallels with controversial demolition drives elsewhere in the country.
Questions for Congress-led Karnataka government
Expressing surprise over the developments, Vijayan pointed out that Indian National Congress is currently in power in Karnataka. He questioned how such actions could take place under a government that claims to stand for social justice and welfare of the poor.
“An administration that should provide housing to the poor is indulging in such acts. How will the Congress justify these actions?” he asked.
Political reactions intensify
The remarks from the Kerala Chief Minister are expected to intensify political debate around the demolition drive in Bengaluru, which has already drawn criticism from civil rights groups and sections of the opposition. Activists have alleged that the demolitions were carried out without adequate rehabilitation measures or due process.
The Karnataka government, meanwhile, has maintained that demolition drives are conducted as part of enforcement against encroachments, though critics argue that humanitarian concerns and legal safeguards are often ignored.
Wider debate on bulldozer actions
The incident has once again brought national attention to the use of bulldozers in clearing residential settlements, particularly those inhabited by marginalised communities. Legal experts and rights groups have repeatedly stressed that any eviction must follow constitutional safeguards, including notice, hearing, and proper rehabilitation.
As political reactions continue to pour in, the demolitions at Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout have emerged as a fresh flashpoint in Karnataka’s political landscape.