By DR. M. Iqbal Siddiqui
NEW DELHI: “I have a handicapped daughter. Relatives have denied any help or shelter, fearing similar reprisals. I don’t know where to go.” These desperate words reflect the plight of a mother left homeless after authorities demolished her house in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on August 20, 2024. Her son, a 15-year-old schoolboy, was accused of fatally stabbing a classmate, leading to his arrest and the detention of his father, Mr. Salim Sheikh, without clear justification. Despite over 200 homes in the area, only the Sheikh family’s rented house was targeted for demolition without due process and under dubious legal grounds, leaving them devoid of shelter. This incident exemplifies the alarming rise of “Bulldozer Justice” or “Bulldozer Culture” in India, where selectively minority communities face extrajudicial actions that undermine human rights and democracy.
A Legacy of Demolition and Displacement
Although Bulldozer Culture may appear to be a recent phenomenon, its roots can be traced back to India’s complex history of urban planning and development, particularly under the BJP government since 2014. The party’s agenda has increasingly targeted minority communities, framing urban development as a means to assert control and promote a specific national identity. This shift became evident as the government intensified slum clearance programs, often justifying forced evictions in the name of beautification and infrastructure. The 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi exemplified this trend, displacing over 100,000 people as large-scale urban projects prioritised development over the rights of marginalised groups. While historical precedents set the stage for demolition practices, the current wave under the BJP reflects a more alarming strategy that weaponises urban planning against minorities, undermining their rights and exacerbating social tensions.
Recent Incidents: A Disturbing Trend
In recent months, the Bulldozer Culture has gained momentum, with reports of demolitions and forced evictions becoming increasingly common across the country. Notably, in April 2022, the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh launched a state-wide campaign to demolish so-called “illegal” structures, including homes and businesses, without providing due process or adequate warning. Dubbed “Operation Cleaning Drive,” this campaign saw the widespread use of bulldozers, leaving thousands homeless and without livelihoods.
A similar campaign was launched by the BJP-controlled Delhi Municipal Corporation in June 2022, targeting “illegal” structures in the city’s slums. Here too, bulldozers were deployed to raze homes and businesses, often leaving the affected individuals without access to basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. These incidents are part of a larger pattern that disproportionately targets minority communities, particularly Muslims and Dalits, raising serious questions about the motivations behind these actions.
Political Motivations and the Symbolism of Bulldozer Culture
The rise of Bulldozer Culture in India is not merely about urban planning or law enforcement; it is deeply intertwined with the ruling party’s broader political agenda. On the surface, these demolitions are justified as necessary measures to “clean up” cities and make way for new infrastructure. However, a closer examination reveals more sinister motives rooted in a communal agenda aimed at marginalising and excluding minority communities, particularly Muslims and Dalits. The disproportionate targeting of these groups through bulldozer-driven demolitions serves as a manifestation of this agenda, sending a clear message of dominance and control.
The bulldozer has emerged as a potent political symbol, particularly in BJP-ruled states, representing the state’s authority and the ruling party’s willingness to bypass legal norms to assert power. In Uttar Pradesh, for example, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, often referred to as “Bulldozer Baba,” has used the bulldozer as a symbol of his strongman image, parading it in election rallies and using it as a tool of political messaging. This symbolic use of bulldozers is not just about enforcing the law; it is a calculated tactic to intimidate dissenters and minority communities, reinforcing the message: “Challenge the state, and you will be crushed.”
This approach, while resonating with certain sections of the electorate as a display of decisive governance, masks a troubling erosion of democratic norms and the rule of law. The Bulldozer Culture thus reflects the ruling party’s efforts to stifle dissent and suppress opposition, creating a climate of fear and repression that undermines the very foundations of democracy.
Human Rights at Risk: The Implications for Justice
The rise of Bulldozer Culture in India poses a grave threat to human rights and the rule of law. These demolitions often bypass legal procedures, blatantly disregarding due process, natural justice, and the right to a fair trial. By carrying out these actions without proper notices or hearings, the state violates the fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution, setting a dangerous precedent for the arbitrary use of power.
The impact on the affected communities is profound and far-reaching. People are left homeless, their livelihoods destroyed, and their dignity violated. The psychological trauma and deep sense of injustice resulting from these demolitions not only devastate individual lives but also fuel long-term social unrest, exacerbating existing communal divides. The targeting of Muslim and Dalit communities for these punitive demolitions sends a clear message of exclusion and marginalisation, reinforcing their status as second-class citizens.
This intensification of communal tensions undermines social cohesion and threatens communal harmony, sowing seeds of resentment and anger that could have lasting consequences. Human rights organisations, both within India and internationally, have widely condemned these actions as gross violations of basic human rights, calling for urgent reforms to protect the rights and dignity of all citizens.
International Human Rights Law and Bulldozer Culture
The Bulldozer Culture represents a stark violation of international human rights law, which prohibits the use of arbitrary and discriminatory state power to punish and intimidate certain groups. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) both guarantee the right to life, liberty, and security of the person, as well as the right to freedom from arbitrary detention and forced eviction.
Despite these international commitments, India has recently seen a disturbing trend of using bulldozers as a tool of extrajudicial punishment, particularly targeting the Muslim community. These actions have not only drawn criticism from human rights bodies but have also tarnished India’s global image as a democratic and secular nation committed to the rule of law.
The Case of Akbar Nagar: A Grim Illustration
The plight of Akbar Nagar, a neighbourhood in Lucknow predominantly inhabited by Muslims and Dalits, serves as a grim illustration of the Bulldozer Culture. In the name of transforming the area into a ‘smart city’, the authorities have launched demolition and eviction drives that have left many residents vulnerable and without a place to call home. The housing and land rights of these marginalised communities are being grossly disregarded, sparking widespread outrage.
These drives carried out under the pretext of urban development, have disproportionately affected the most vulnerable sections of society. The true intentions behind these actions are increasingly being questioned, with critics arguing that they are part of a broader strategy to marginalise and displace minority communities under the guise of progress and development. The residents of Akbar Nagar, like many others across India, are being forced to bear the brunt of so-called ‘progress’, raising serious concerns about protection of their rights and dignity.
A Call for Accountability and Justice
The rise of Bulldozer Culture marks a troubling shift in how state power is wielded in India, serving as a clear example of the ruling party’s efforts to consolidate authority, enforce its ideology, and marginalise vulnerable communities. This trend endangers the very fabric of Indian democracy and has grave implications for human rights and the rule of law.
Indians deserve a government that champions fairness, equality, and the protection of individual dignity for all its citizens. The ruling party must abandon Bulldozer Culture in favour of a governance approach that upholds the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. This is not merely about demolishing physical structures; it threatens to erode the foundations of democracy itself. The government must act swiftly to end this practice, protect the rights of all citizens, and restore the rule of law by holding those responsible for these actions accountable.
Recognising this threat is crucial, and collective action is needed to safeguard the values that define India as a democratic nation. The international community also plays a vital role in ensuring that the Indian government respects and protects the rights of all its citizens, regardless of background or identity. Only through united vigilance and action can we hope to curb the rise of Bulldozer Culture and restore justice and dignity to those who have been wronged.
*The author is National Assistant Secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, New Delhi.
