Overview
- Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the clearance of Faqir Colony and Waseem Layout as “bulldozer raj” and accused Karnataka’s Congress government of anti-minority politics.
- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar urged Vijayan not to comment “without knowing the facts,” saying the drive protected public land and was not aimed at any community.
- Shivakumar and city officials described the site as a quarry pit and waste dumpsite notified for solid-waste management, with BSWML citing about five acres of government land.
- Residents and activists say more than 200 houses were razed, leaving nearly 400 families homeless during a cold spell, and allege the action came without prior notice despite long-term residence documents.
- The Karnataka government says it will verify documentation and offer housing to eligible people, with Shivakumar seeking reports from officials as protests and Left leaders’ visits continue.