In a disturbing trend that appears unique to India’s current political climate, particularly in BJP-ruled states, the practice of demolishing homes as a form of punishment has gained momentum. This practice, reminiscent of methods employed by Israel, raises serious concerns about the rule of law in India. Despite both Indian and international laws, several state administrations have embarked on selective demolition drives, seemingly targeting a specific community with impunity. The absence of swift intervention by the Supreme Court and other governmental human rights bodies only exacerbates the issue, while the lacklustre response from Opposition parties appears to give the ruling party further licence to demolish Muslim homes under various pretexts.
The recent bulldozing incidents in Chattarpur, Madhya Pradesh, and Udaipur, Rajasthan, serve as stark reminders of this growing problem. In Udaipur, the house of an owner was demolished because the accused tenant’s minor son allegedly stabbed a Hindu classmate. In Chattarpur, a bungalow belonging to Congress leader Haji Shehzad Ali was razed, allegedly due to his involvement in a protest march where stones were thrown at the police.
These demolitions are part of a broader trend where bulldozers, once seen as construction tools, are now symbolizing Hindutva-nationalist power. They have been prominently displayed in right-wing celebrations, both domestically and abroad, and have even become a part of electoral triumphs. The image of the bulldozer has also been tattooed on the arms of young BJP supporters, further embedding it into the party’s identity.
This misuse of bulldozers is not without historical precedent. The most infamous incident occurred in 1992 when Hindutva extremists demolished the Mughal-era Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, claiming it was built on a site of an ancient Hindu temple. Since then, the use of bulldozers has only grown, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath earning the nickname “Bulldozer Baba” for his enthusiastic use of the machine.
Under the Modi administration’s second term, there had been a noticeable increase in such demolitions. Although official government statistics on the number of demolitions are unavailable, the Housing and Land Rights Network, based in Delhi, estimates that at least 43,000 houses have been destroyed.
A recent Fact-Finding Report on the Udaipur violence by Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) highlighted that the Rajasthan government controversially demolished the home of Rashid Khan, an auto-rickshaw driver, after his Muslim tenant’s son was accused of stabbing a Hindu classmate. The communal tension that followed was exacerbated by right-wing groups demanding swift action, including bulldozer justice.
Similarly, in Chattarpur, Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Haji Shehzad Ali’s bungalow was demolished after he was accused of leading a protest against anti-Islam remarks by Ramgiri Maharaj of Maharashtra. This prompted strong condemnation from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who accused the BJP of using bulldozers to instil fear among minorities and called for offences to be adjudicated in courts rather than through state-sponsored coercion.
Despite these concerns, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav defended the demolitions, claiming they were in line with Constitutional norms. However, legal experts like Anmol Gupta of Land Conflict Watch argue that many demolitions defy the law, pointing out that evictees must be notified in advance, a right protected under the Indian Constitution.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently ruled in the Nuh, Haryana case that the misuse of bulldozers for instant mob justice sets a dangerous precedent, violating procedural and basic rights. However, the Supreme Court has been less assertive, declining to halt demolition drives in states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, arguing that municipal authorities should have jurisdiction over unauthorized constructions.
It is particularly disheartening that the Supreme Court did not take action even after a petition from six former judges and other judicial luminaries urged the court to intervene. The petition described these demolitions as a form of collective extra-judicial punishment, violating state policy and the rule of law.
While the judiciary has largely failed to address the issue, the United Nations has taken notice. In a letter dated June 9, three UN Special Rapporteurs on housing, minorities, and freedom of religion criticized India’s arbitrary housing demolitions, suggesting that the minority Muslim community has been subjected to collective punishment by the government.
Noted journalist Bhasha Singh, speaking to Radiance, described the use of bulldozers against the Muslim community as a manifestation of a “Hindu Fascist State,” citing the failure of all four pillars of democracy to stop this trend.
Echoing her views, former DIG Chhattisgarh Wazir Ansari warned that if this trend continues, India risks losing its democratic fabric and could be headed toward a police state or dictatorship.
As bulldozers continue to be misused as tools of intimidation and retaliation, the very foundation of India’s democracy appears to be under threat.