UP Minister Defends ‘Bulldozer Queen’

Despite criticism and concerns raised by the Supreme Court over indiscriminate demolition of properties, Uttar Pradesh’s top leaders continue to resist. They openly defend the use of bulldozers and stress that they intend to continue using bulldozers as a law enforcement tool.

UP Power Minister AK Sharma has made statements justifying the state’s continued use of bulldozers despite the Supreme Court’s warnings against the practice. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was the first to defend the use of bulldozers earlier this week, in the wake of the court’s criticism.

AK Sharma, a former close aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was unequivocal in his support for the practice. Speaking to reporters in Siddharthnagar on Thursday, Sharma said: “The bulldozer is being used against those involved in criminal and mafia activities through legal process. There is nothing wrong with this. Their use will continue.”

He further stressed that the bulldozers are aimed at the “mafia and miscreants” who came to power during the Samajwadi Party (SP) rule, and accused them of illegally grabbing land from citizens and the government.

His statement comes just days after the Supreme Court said nationwide guidelines are needed to regulate property demolitions following a series of targeted and indiscriminate demolitions of Muslim-owned properties across the country.
Since Narendra Modi was elected prime minister in 2014, BJP governments at both the state and central levels have been accused of carrying out indiscriminate demolitions of Muslim properties as “punishment” following episodes of Hindutva violence or Muslim protests against discriminatory government policies.

Earlier this week, Justice BR Gavai, while raising the issue, remarked: “How can a person’s house be demolished just because he is an accused? Even if he is a convict, it cannot be done without following the procedure prescribed by law.”

Despite these legal concerns, Sharma and Adityanath appear to remain adamant in their support for bulldozing.

Adityanath, at a public rally in Lucknow, took a swipe at his political rivals, especially SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, by flaunting his government’s bulldozer policy. “Not everyone’s hands can handle a bulldozer. It requires both heart and brain. Only those who have the capacity and determination of a bulldozer can use a bulldozer,” Adityanath had said.

The Chief Minister’s remarks appeared to be aimed at Yadav, who has long been an outspoken critic of the BJP’s bulldozer approach. In response, Yadav quipped that Adityanath should form a new party and use the bulldozer as an election symbol, adding, “Your misconception and arrogance will be shattered.”