– Raheem Khan
Jaipur, August 18: The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) Rajasthan has vehemently condemned the recent demolition of a house belonging to the family of a student accused in the Udaipur incident. In a strongly worded statement, PUCL state president Bhanwar Meghwanshi, general secretary Anant Bhatnagar, and Udaipur president Arun Vyas labeled the demolition as illegal, describing it as a clear indication of the rise of a “bulldozer raj” in the state.
PUCL has sent a letter to the Chief Justice of Rajasthan, urgently requesting judicial intervention. The organization pointed out that the family, now homeless, is struggling to find shelter amidst the ongoing crisis. They criticized the rapid execution of the demolition, which took place before the family had an opportunity to respond to a notice issued by the forest department.
The civil liberties group also questioned the selective targeting of the accused student’s residence in a neighborhood with nearly 200 homes, emphasizing that the family was merely renting the property that was destroyed. The PUCL expressed surprise at this selective action, particularly since the accused student’s father, who had no involvement in the incident, was also arrested by the police.
According to the PUCL, the demolition represents not just the destruction of a house but also a significant blow to the principles of justice and the rule of law in Udaipur. The organization has called for restraint in addressing the incident involving the two students, urging religious leaders, politicians, and the media to work towards reducing communal tensions.
Expressing concern over the role of the police and district administration in the entire episode, PUCL has demanded an independent inquiry led by the Chief Justice to ensure accountability. Additionally, the organization has called for strict action against the officials responsible for the unlawful demolition and compensation for the affected family.
