The legality of such demolitions remains questionable, as Indian law does not include provisions for demolishing property as a punitive measure
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — In the past two years, over 15 lakh homes, described as “nests,” have been demolished across several states in India, leaving more than 70 lakh people displaced. This devastating toll is linked to the aggressive and arbitrary bulldozer operations predominantly against Muslims in BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The Supreme Court’s recent criticism of these actions as part of “bulldozer justice” has brought renewed attention to the plight of the affected families.
The impact of these operations is stark. According to official data, the bulldozer drives have razed countless homes and businesses. Despite court interventions, the demolitions continued, with authorities frequently citing “illegal construction” as justification. However, in many instances, settlements were flattened even when legal processes continued.
One notable example is the massive eviction drive in Lucknow’s Akbar Nagar wherein 1,169 houses and 101 commercial establishments were demolished. The Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in the state claims that the structures were encroachments on land meant for the Kukrail riverfront development. The affected residents, however, argue that they have been living in the area for decades, long before the development authority was formed.
The justification for the demolitions in Akbar Nagar highlights a recurring theme in these operations. The government asserted that the land was illegally occupied by the land mafia and foreign infiltrators, including Rohingyas and Bangladeshis. Despite these claims, the human cost has been immense.
Madhya Pradesh has also seen its share of bulldozer justice. On 15 June 2024, 11 Muslim homes in Mandla district were completely demolished, with the police alleging that beef was found in the residents’ refrigerators. This operation is part of a broader pattern where demolitions appear to target specific religious communities.
Delhi, too, has not been spared. On 14 May 2023, the Public Works Department (PWD) demolished several huts in the Dhaula Kuan area, leaving hundreds homeless. This action took place in the nation’s capital, despite it being a centrally administered area without a BJP government.
The Housing and Land Rights Network (HLRN) has compiled alarming statistics on these demolitions. Its 2024 report reveals that from 2022 to 2023, approximately 1,53,820 homes were demolished, displacing over 7,38,438 people. From 2017 to 2023, bulldozer operations affected more than 10.68 lakh people. The number of demolitions has only increased, with 2,22,686 homes destroyed in 2022 and 5,15,752 in 2023 alone. The report notes that 59% of these evictions were carried out under the pretext of slum clearance, land clearance, or urban beautification.
The bulldozer operations often take place under the guise of punitive demolition proceedings. Areas like Jirapur village in Khargaon, Madhya Pradesh, Prayag Raj and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Nuh in Haryana, and Jahangirpuri in Delhi have all witnessed such demolitions. Government agencies claim these actions were necessary to remove illegal constructions from government land. However, a closer examination suggests that these operations frequently target people of a specific religion.
For instance, after clashes during a Hanuman Jayanti procession on 20 April 2022, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) conducted a bulldozer operation in Jahangirpuri. Supported by 12 companies of the CRPF, the operation resulted in the demolition of about 25 shops, primarily owned by Muslims, under the pretext of removing encroachments.
Similarly, in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargaon, Muslim homes were bulldozed after communal violence erupted during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in April 2022. This included the demolition of a house built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, along with 15 other homes and 29 shops belonging to Muslims.
The legality of such demolitions remains questionable, as Indian law does not include provisions for demolishing property as a punitive measure. Nevertheless, this practice has become increasingly common in BJP-ruled states.
The Supreme Court recently heard a petition against bulldozer justice filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and others. The court, comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, questioned the rationale behind demolishing homes merely because the occupants were accused of a crime. The court emphasised that punitive measures must be applied only after proper legal procedures are followed.
The question now remains: Will the Supreme Court’s observations lead to the rebuilding of the destroyed homes and the resettlement of the displaced victims? For millions of people, the hope of finding a new roof over their heads is uncertain, but the demand for justice remains strong.
