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The BJP government’s increasing use of bulldozers to demolish Muslim homes and properties has sparked outrage across the country. What was once a tool for urban planning and illegal encroachment removal has now become a political weapon to punish Muslims under the guise of law enforcement.
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, in a strong statement, condemned bulldozer demolitions, calling them “a negation of the very concept of rule of law” and warning that if such actions are not checked, they will “destroy the very edifice of our justice delivery system.”
Despite multiple legal rulings against such actions, BJP-ruled states continue to use bulldozers selectively against Muslim communities, ignoring due process and fundamental rights.
Bulldozer Politics: A Tool of Collective Punishment
Under the guise of maintaining law and order, BJP-led governments in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Assam have launched a disturbing trend of demolishing Muslim-owned homes, shops, and mosques.
Instead of arresting individuals and following legal procedures, the government punishes entire families by destroying their properties—an act that resembles authoritarian rule rather than democracy.
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan’s Warning
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan strongly opposed this unconstitutional practice, stating:
“Using bulldozers to demolish a property is like running a bulldozer over the Constitution. It is a negation of the very concept of rule of law. If not checked, it would destroy the very edifice of our justice delivery system.”
This statement highlights how bulldozer politics is not just an attack on Muslims but an attack on India’s legal system and democracy itself.
Selective Targeting: Why Only Muslims?
The pattern of demolitions clearly indicates a religious bias:
- In Uttar Pradesh, after protests against BJP leader Nupur Sharma’s anti-Muslim remarks, several Muslim homes were demolished overnight.
- In Madhya Pradesh, Muslim properties were destroyed after communal clashes, while Hindu-owned buildings remained untouched.
- In Haryana, after communal violence in Nuh, Muslim businesses were bulldozed without due process, with government officials justifying it as a crackdown on “illegal structures.”
No Due Process, No Notice
- Muslim families are not given proper legal notices before demolition.
- Many homes were legally built and had all necessary approvals, yet they were destroyed.
- No such demolitions take place when BJP supporters or Hindutva extremists are involved in violence.
This selective use of bulldozers violates Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.
International Condemnation and Legal Violations
India’s bulldozer politics has received international criticism. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the UN, have condemned the demolitions as collective punishment targeting a specific religious community.
Under international law, such actions are illegal. The Geneva Convention and UN Human Rights Charter prohibit forced demolitions without legal procedures.
Despite this, BJP leaders continue to justify their actions in the name of “law and order,” while simultaneously protecting Hindutva extremists who incite violence against Muslims.
Why BJP Uses Bulldozers: A Political Strategy
The use of bulldozers is not about justice—it is about politics. BJP has turned bulldozer demolitions into a symbol of power, using them to appease right-wing Hindu voters.
- Ahead of elections, BJP promotes bulldozer actions to polarize Hindu votes.
- Muslim communities are deliberately targeted to create fear and reinforce the BJP’s anti-Muslim image among Hindutva supporters.
- State-sponsored violence against Muslims distracts the public from real issues like unemployment, inflation, and corruption.
The silence of opposition parties and mainstream media’s failure to report the reality of these demolitions further enables the BJP’s bulldozer politics.
Conclusion: India’s Democracy at Risk
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan’s warning must be taken seriously. If bulldozer justice is not stopped, India will move towards an authoritarian state where fundamental rights and legal protections no longer exist.
The BJP government’s use of state machinery to crush minorities sets a dangerous precedent. It is time for the judiciary, civil society, and opposition parties to take a stand against these unconstitutional actions.
If bulldozer politics continues unchecked, it will not just be Muslims who suffer—but the entire fabric of Indian democracy will be destroyed.
The question remains: Will India allow its Constitution to be bulldozed for political gain?
