Is congress not “walking the talk”?

In what can be called “becoming what you accuse others of”, political leaders and experts clashed over allegations of double standards in the use of bulldozers for demolitions in Kogilu village on the outskirts of Bengaluru, highlighting a stark contrast in how opposition parties critique similar actions by rival governments. The discussion centred on the Congress party's recent bulldozer operations in Karnataka, which have left hundreds homeless amid freezing winter conditions, drawing sharp criticism even from within its own alliance.

On December 20, heavy machinery from the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) razed over 200 illegal structures in Fakir Colony (also spelled Faqir Colony) and Waseem Layout (or Basim Layout), displacing nearly 400 families—many migrant labourers, including pregnant women, children, and the elderly—during one of Bengaluru's coldest spells. The site, designated as government land for waste processing or a former quarry, was deemed unfit for habitation by officials.

The debate revisited Gandhi's earlier statements, where he branded Adityanath's demolitions as a "bulldozer of hate" that targeted innocent families and signalled the end of democracy. The irony noted was that under Congress rule in Karnataka, similar actions were taken, prompting questions about selective outrage. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a key ally in the INDIA alliance championed by Gandhi, publicly slammed the Karnataka government's moves as "brutal" and accused Congress of normalizing "bulldozer raj" through anti-minority politics.

Advocate BN Haskar, representing Left views, condemned the evictions as targeting minorities without proper shelter, drawing parallels to actions in BJP states and criticizing Shivakumar's remarks as anti-minority mindset. This intra-alliance friction underscored the tensions, with Vijayan's remarks labelling the demolitions as a form of oppression.

In a sharp rebuttal, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed Vijayan's remarks as politically motivated and lacking factual understanding. He emphasized that the Congress government does not follow "bulldozer culture," insisted due process was followed, and highlighted humanitarian measures including temporary shelter, food, amenities, and plans for rehabilitation (potentially up to Rs 5 lakh for eligible families). Shivakumar urged senior leaders like Vijayan to refrain from interfering in Karnataka's affairs without knowing the ground realities, adding that the state would not tolerate slums or land mafia activities.

BJP spokespersons amplified the hypocrisy narrative, arguing that when the BJP employs bulldozers, it's deemed communal and dictatorial, but under Congress, it's reframed as justice or development. They highlighted the Karnataka case, where demolitions in areas like Fakir Colony and Waseem Colony were justified as clearing encroachments for solid waste management, per court orders. They questioned the lack of mandatory 15-day notices and rehabilitation plans, noting that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah chairs the Greater Bengaluru Authority responsible for the action. They also drew historical parallels, citing Congress-led governments' roles in past incidents like the 1985 Shah Bano verdict reversal and communal riots where minorities suffered.

Human rights advocate Kevin Mathew took a principled stand against bulldozer actions by any government, stressing that demolitions must follow due legal process through courts, regardless of party. Speaking on humanity grounds, Mathew argued that governments should not operate beyond their mandate to govern, not bulldoze homes, and that basic rights to shelter must prevail. He risked being labeled a BJP sympathizer for critiquing his alliance partners but insisted his team was "humanity," not politics.

Another pro congress political analyst, a consistent critic of bulldozers, reiterated that they can never deliver justice—only courts can. He opposed bulldozers under any regime, as they harm entire families, not just individuals. Differentiating BJP and Congress actions, he claimed BJP targets Muslims selectively: if a Muslim commits a crime, their home is deemed illegal and demolished overnight. In Congress states, actions follow full legal processes and Supreme Court guidelines. Despite this, he called even the Karnataka action wrong and questioned why Gandhi hasn't spoken, echoing his past condemnation of UP demolitions as dictatorial. He urged undoing the damage but acknowledged it's irreversible.

The controversy exposes fault lines in the INDIA alliance, with regional rivalries (LDF vs UDF vs BJP in Kerala) spilling over nationally. As the Karnataka government plans rehabilitation verification and site meetings, the incident raises broader questions about urban encroachment removal, minority rights, and coalition unity in India's polarized landscape.