Cong president Mallikarjun Kharge attacks BJP over ‘bulldozer action’, condemns ‘repeated targeting of minorities’

“The repeated targeting of minorities in BJP-ruled states is deeply troubling. Such actions have no place in a society governed by the rule of law,” said the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

“The Congress Party strongly condemns the BJP state governments for their blatant disregard of the Constitution, using bulldozing as a tactic to instill fear among citizens. Anarchy cannot replace natural justice – offences must be adjudicated in courts, not through state-sponsored coercion,” said Kharge in a post on X.

The statement came a day after the Madhya Pradesh Police made a spate of arrests and demolished the palatial home of local leader Shahzad Ali. The action followed an incident in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district where a violent clash happened on August 21, leaving several personnel injured. Local units of the Congress and the BJP had on Friday said that Ali belongs to the other party.

Along with Kharge, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also spoke about the “bulldozer justice”, calling it “unacceptable” and saying it should stop.

Vadra said that “if someone is accused of a crime, then only the courts can decide their crime and punishment.”

“But punishing the accused’s family as soon as the accusation is made, taking away the roof from over their heads, not following the law, disobeying the court, demolishing the house of the accused as soon as the accusation is made – this is not justice,” she said in a post on X.

She said it “is the height of barbarism and injustice”. “There should be a difference between the law makers, the law keepers and the law breakers. Governments cannot behave like criminals,” she added.

“Obeying the law, Constitution, democracy and humanity is the minimum condition of governance in a civilized society. One who cannot fulfill his duty can neither do good for the society nor for the country. Bulldozer justice is totally unacceptable, it must stop,” said the Congress leader.

Meanwhile, Congress MP and Lok Sabha whip Mohammad Jawed said that “demolishing Muslim homes with bulldozers is not justice, but hatred.” He also appealed to the Supreme Court to take cognizance of the issue and take appropriate action.