No bulldozer culture here: DK Shivakumar vs Pinarayi Vijayan on demolition drive

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday hit back at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over his criticism of the Bengaluru demolition drive, asserting that the Congress government does not believe in a “bulldozer culture” and had acted to protect government land from encroachment.

Shivakumar’s response came after Vijayan accused the Karnataka government of normalising “bulldozer raj” and engaging in “anti-minority politics” following the demolition of over 200 houses in Bengaluru earlier this week. In a post on X, Vijayan said, “When a regime rules through fear and brute force, constitutional values and human dignity become the first casualties,” drawing parallels with practices widely criticised in northern states.

Hitting back, Shivakumar said Vijayan had commented on the issue “without knowing the facts of the matter.” Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, the Deputy CM said the demolished structures stood on encroached government land that was being used as a solid waste dumping site.