Bengaluru Demolition Row: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Slams 'Bulldozer Raj'; Karnataka Govt Defends Drive

A massive political showdown has erupted over the demolition of homes in Bengaluru's Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout (referred to as Basim Layout). Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly criticized the drive, terming it 'shocking and painful' and alleging it exposes the 'brutal normalization of bulldozer Raj' targeting minorities. In response, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar defended the action, asserting the land was an illegal encroachment on a waste disposal site and that the clearance was lawful. The report includes accounts from displaced residents claiming they received no notice.