DK Shivakumar Tells Pinarayi Vijayan Not to ‘Interfere’ in Karnataka Affairs Over Bengaluru Demolitions

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday advised Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan not to interfere in Karnataka’s “internal matters” after the latter criticised the demolition of houses in parts of Bengaluru.

Shivakumar said it was unfortunate that a senior leader like Vijayan commented on the issue without understanding the “reality” of Bengaluru. His remarks came a day after Vijayan described the demolition drive in Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout as “extremely shocking and painful”.

The demolition was carried out last week in Kogilu village near Yelahanka in north Bengaluru, where more than 200 houses in Wasim Layout and Fakir Colony were bulldozed.

What Pinarayi Vijayan said

In a strongly worded Facebook post on Friday, the Kerala chief minister likened the action to the “North Indian model of bulldozer justice” and accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of allowing anti-minority politics to take root in the South.

“The action to demolish Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout—where Muslims have been living for years in Karnataka’s capital—using bulldozers is extremely shocking and painful. In the biting cold, an entire population has been forced to flee to the streets,” Vijayan wrote.

“As the North Indian model of ‘bulldozer justice’ steps into South India, it is surprising that this is happening under a Congress-led government in Karnataka. Will the Congress justify the mass eviction of the poor?” he added, urging authorities to ensure that no one is left homeless.

DK Shivakumar’s response

Responding to the criticism, Shivakumar said the land where the demolition took place was illegally occupied and posed safety risks, as it was a quarry pit earmarked for solid waste dumping.

“Senior leaders like Pinarayi Vijayan should understand the reality in Bengaluru. The site in question is a dangerous quarry pit meant for solid waste dumping and was illegally occupied. Those affected have been moved humanely,” Shivakumar told reporters, as quoted by PTI.

He added that the Karnataka government would provide alternative housing to eligible families under the Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana, and said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had directed officials to submit a detailed report on the matter.

Shivakumar also dismissed Vijayan’s remarks as “politically motivated” and said the Kerala chief minister should refrain from commenting on Karnataka’s affairs without knowing the facts.

Emphasising the rationale behind the demolition, Shivakumar said the action was routine and aimed at preventing the creation of slums in the city.

“Unlike cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru does not have many slums and we don’t want to create them. This is not about minorities or any community. If people are eligible for land or housing, we will definitely provide houses,” he said.