Kerala CM condemns uprooting of Muslim families in Indian state of Karnataka

ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan has condemned the uprooting of Muslim families in two localities in the Indian city of Bengaluru, Karnataka, terming it “bulldozer raj”.

Vijayan, who belongs to the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI), in a post on X on Friday (December 26) stated: “The bulldozing of Faqir Colony and Waseem Layout in Bengaluru, uprooting Muslim families who have lived there for years, exposes the brutal normalization of “bulldozer raj”.” 

‘Anti-minority politics’

Lamenting the situation, he stated, “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.” 

Vijayan stressed, “All secular and democratic forces must rally together to resist and defeat this insidious trend.”

According to an Indian media report, a demolition drive at Yelahanka last week pulled down more than 200 houses in Waseem Layout and Fakir Colony. 

The operation was reportedly carried out by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited. 

The report said the houses were removed to clear what were described as "encroachments" on land marked for a proposed waste processing unit.

‘Bulldozer justice’

In a Facebook post, Vijayan referred to the reported bulldozing of Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout, where Muslim families had been living for many years.

He said the incident reflected a form of minority-targeting politics seen earlier in north India and warned that such practices were now spreading to the south of the country.

The chief minister alleged that entire families were forced out of their homes in harsh winter conditions and pushed onto the streets, leaving them with no choice but to flee.

He expressed surprise that what he described as “bulldozer justice” was carried out under a Congress-led government in Karnataka.

Social justice 

The chief minister questioned how such forced evictions could be justified by a party that claims to stand for social justice. 

He added that governments should take responsibility for protecting the poor, ensuring housing, and preventing people from being driven out of their homes through the use of force.