The authorities and the BJP leaders justify this by talking about unauthorized constructions. It is well known to them that illegal constructions are taking place in large scale in those areas where the urban rich are concentrated. Their malls, shops, offices, houses, theatres, etc. are built or extended as and when they like it. Can the government say that all these big constructions are taking place as per rules and regulations?
Bulldozer politics is yet another instance of the double standards followed by the ruling class.
There are different yardsticks for their law for the rich and the poor. Even while dealing with the so-called illegal constructions, the Supreme Court has specified conditions like proper notice and rehabilitation. In the case of large-scale evictions, rehabilitation measures are unavoidable.
For the BJP rulers, all concerns of human rights and democratic norms are insignificant. They approach the issue with political vendetta. Communal intolerance also guides them. They draw in faith and God into their demolition frenzy.
Even though bulldozer politics hits at the lives and livelihood of the poor, irrespective of their religion, RSS-BJP are eager to paint it as a Hindu- Muslim issue.
Aiming at communal violence, their storm troopers are propagating rumours and cooked up stories. The ruling party, which has failed in all walks of life, is desperately trying to divide people with elections in 2024 as their goal. For that, they intend to mobilize religious extremists as their vanguard. An analysis of the recent demolitions signifies this fact.
The government should desist from its communally-charged vendetta politics targeted against the poor and the minorities. They should heed to the reference made by the Supreme Court asking the Central government in a similar case “to act humanely, as is expected of a “model government”, by not taking any coercive action against the occupants till their plea for rehabilitation is decided”.
(IPA Service)
Views are personal