28 August 2024: In a high-profile incident in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, authorities demolished the three-storey building of Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Haji Raza on Tuesday. The demolition, executed under tight security with personnel from ten police stations and overseen by Sub-divisional Magistrate Pradeep Raman and Circle Officer Sushil Kumar Dubey, has sparked controversy.
The demolition has been justified by officials as a necessary action due to alleged discrepancies in the construction’s map. This move comes after Raza was implicated in June when a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary lodged a complaint accusing him of making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Subsequently, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to scrutinise Raza’s assets and alleged criminal activities, following calls from former lawmaker Vikram Singh for an investigation into Raza’s past.
The use of bulldozers to demolish properties linked to alleged offenders has become a contentious symbol of extrajudicial action, often referred to as “bulldozer justice.” This approach, particularly prevalent in BJP-ruled states, is seen by critics as a form of political retribution, especially against Muslim individuals. The term “bulldozer baba” has been coined to describe Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s administration’s aggressive stance.
In a recent development, Congress leader Shahzad Ali’s house was similarly demolished in Madhya Pradesh for his alleged role in a protest against remarks made by a local priest. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has condemned these actions, accusing the BJP of targeting minorities and using demolitions to create fear. He has called for adherence to the rule of law and judicial processes rather than resorting to state-sponsored coercion.
