Bengaluru Demolition Sparks Political Row: Kerala CM Slams Karnataka Govt, Shivakumar Hits Back

The Karnataka government has come under sharp criticism after more than 200 makeshift houses were demolished in Bengaluru earlier this week, leaving hundreds of residents - largely from the Muslim community - without shelter. The incident has sparked a fierce political clash between the ruling Congress in Karnataka and leaders of the Left Front in Kerala, who accused the party of legitimising "bulldozer-style governance" commonly associated with northern states.

Responding to the backlash, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar criticised Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his remarks on the eviction drive, saying senior leaders "should not interfere without knowing the facts on the ground." Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar described Vijayan's comments as "unfortunate" and said that outsiders commenting on Bengaluru must first acquaint themselves with ground realities.

Clarifying the government's stand, Shivakumar asserted that the demolition was carried out to reclaim encroached public land and was not targeted at any particular religion or community. He claimed the area was originally a waste-dumping site and alleged that the land mafia was trying to convert it into a slum settlement. "We have humanity. People were given an opportunity to relocate. Only a few of them were locals," he said.

Rejecting allegations of adopting a harsh bulldozer approach, Shivakumar added, "We are not into bulldozers. We are trying to safeguard public land and government property." He urged Vijayan to avoid political commentary without "full knowledge of Bengaluru's issues."

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan earlier criticised the demolition through social media posts, calling the action "deeply shocking and painful." He alleged that the families living in Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout had been residents for years and accused the Congress government of embracing a "North India-style bulldozer justice" often associated with anti-minority action. "Sadly, the Sangh Parivar's anti-minority politics is now being executed under a Congress government in Karnataka," Vijayan wrote.