‘Serious concern’: Bengaluru bulldozer action draws Pakistan’s attention; no minority appeasement in crackdown, says DK Shivakumar | Bengaluru News
BENGALURU: Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar Tuesday rejected opposition allegations of minority appeasement in the govt’s handling of encroachments, asserting that there would be no “gifting” of land or benefits to encroachers and that strict action would be taken against those who facilitated illegal settlements.Responding to BJP charges that the Congress govt was pursuing minority appeasement politics with an eye on the Kerala assembly elections next year, Shivakumar said encroachments were unacceptable under any circumstances. “There is no appeasement politics. We will take action against those who facilitated the encroachment. The evictees have given statements that some people collected money and allowed them to set up their sheds there. We will give housing through Pradhan Mantri Awas scheme to the eligible evictees on humanitarian grounds,” he added.He added that previous land rights in the area would be reviewed, and recent encroachments thoroughly scrutinized. “Land rights were granted some time ago, and I’ve asked officials to verify these claims. Some outsiders have encroached more recently. We will identify the original settlers and ensure their rehabilitation,” he said.On criticism from Kerala MPs over his statement that encroachment issues were an internal matter of Karnataka, Shivakumar said: “ Yes, we are running our govt well. They can give whatever statement they want, we will not allow encroachments. They have not even delivered on their promises during previous floods and they don’t have any rights to talk about our state. We know how to govern our state,” he added.On comments made by Pakistan’s external affairs minister regarding the Kogilu encroachments, Shivakumar said: “Senior national leaders will respond to this.”On the BJP’s allegations that the evictees were Rohingyas from Bangladesh, he said officials would investigate reports that some evictees possessed identity cards from two states. On rehabilitation, he made it clear that only eligible local residents would be accommodated. “We will rehabilitate only the genuine eligible evictees. We are not regularizing it but will provide housing only to eligible locals,” he said.BJP objects to rehab moveBJP continued to slam the Congress govt’s decision torehabilitate encroachers in Bengaluru whose houses were demolished, alleging that the move followed intervention by the All India Congress Committee (AICC).In Belagavi, BJP state president BY Vijayendra asked: “Should Karnataka’s policy decisions be taken by a Keralite KC Venugopal sitting in Delhi, or by the chief minister of this state?” He said the party would launch statewide protests after the BJP core committee meeting on Jan 5. “(Issues like) drug mafia, insult to Kannadigas and irregularities in the Gruha Lakshmi scheme will be discussed, and a statewide agitation will be decided,” he said.“Announcing houses for illegal migrants by throwing rules to the wind is completely illegal. Do the CM and DCM even have the legal authority to take such a decision?” Vijayendra asked, adding that the houses were built for poor Kannadigas using taxpayers’ money. He alleged discrimination against Karnataka’s poor, saying, “When Wayanad was hit by floods, the chief minister announced construction of 100 houses there and gave Rs 15 lakh compensation for elephant attack deaths. What injustice have Karnataka’s poor committed?” In Bengaluru, Union minister Shobha Karandlaje questioned whether the “heat of Kerala elections” was influencing decisions in Karnataka. “The state govt must cooperate in identifying and deporting Rohingyas and other illegal migrants,” she said, alleging outside interference. Warning against granting permanent status, she demanded verification of Aadhaar cards and voter IDs of suspected illegal migrants.Draws Pakistan attentionThe demolition of hutments in Kogilu has attracted international attention, reportedly sparking a diplomatic row with Pakistan. On Dec 20, 167 unauthorised temporary sheds in Waseem Layout and Fakir Colony were razed on grounds of encroachment.The issue escalated after Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the Karnataka govt, claiming the majority of affected residents were religious minorities and alleging targeted action against Muslim communities. Close on the heels of this development, Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a statement accusing Indian authorities of harassing Muslims, demolishing homes with state support, and interfering with religious celebrations, labelling it a serious concern for minorities in India.India, too, responded firmly. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed Pakistan’s statements as unacceptable and hypocritical,” adding, “India rejects comments coming from a country whose own record on minority rights is abysmal.”He further said Pakistan’s systematic and horrific victimisation of minorities of various faiths is a well-documented fact, and no amount of finger-pointing can hide that reality.” Officials clarified that Pakistan’s remarks were made without understanding the ground situation or official reports and were aimed at defaming India internationally.Domestically, the political row intensified with parties criticising each other for alleged vote bank politics.Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said: “There is no question of giving New Year gift to encroachers as we are not in favour of appeasement politics as alleged by opposition BJP and JD(S). We have reports about miscreants collecting money from the victims to give title deeds and we only want to help such vulnerable poor by allotting houses under the PM Awas scheme.”Vote bank politics: ForumsCivil society groups warned that displaced families were being used for political gain. M Venkataswamy, president of Samatha Sainika Dala, said: “All major parties are indulging in appeasing their respective vote banks taking political advantage of the Kogilu demolition. Poor people are being blatantly used as pawns by these parties for their political game.”Meanwhile, the govt has ordered rehabilitation for verified victims. Eligible families will receive alternative housing at Byappanahalli at a cost of Rs 11.2 lakh per house, following verification of documents, to address humanitarian concerns amid increasing scrutiny.
