Use of bulldozers is justified and will continue, says UP minister AK Sharma

By Muslim Mirror

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s move to issue national guidelines for property demolition by governments, Uttar Pradesh Energy Minister A K Sharma has strongly defended the state’s use of bulldozers. Speaking in Siddharthnagar on September 5, Sharma stressed that bulldozers would continue to play a crucial role in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s campaign against “goondaism” and mafia activities. Sharma, a former close aide to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, compared Adityanath’s use of bulldozers to Modi’s fight against corruption at the national level.

Sharma justified the demolitions by claiming that they were being carried out through a legal process and targeting criminals and mafia figures who had grabbed land from poor citizens and the government, especially during the Samajwadi Party rule. He asserted, “The bulldozer is being used for that, and that is a good thing.” He brushed aside criticism, claiming that bulldozers continue to be used against those involved in illegal activities.

A day earlier, Adityanath, at an official event in Lucknow, had similarly praised the government’s bulldozer policy. The CM hit out at Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, saying, “You need both heart and brain to operate a bulldozer,” adding that those with the necessary determination would be able to wield his power effectively. Adityanath’s bulldozer campaign, which has been a signature policy since 2017, has targeted homes and businesses of both opposition leaders and ordinary citizens, often creating controversy.

Yadav responded by ridiculing the policy and challenging Adityanath to stand for election with a bulldozer as his symbol. He noted that Adityanath’s reliance on bulldozers revealed his arrogance and predicted that it would ultimately fail. This verbal clash reflects the ongoing political tension over the use of bulldozers as a tool to enforce law and order in Uttar Pradesh.

The Supreme Court earlier this week criticized the practice, asking how properties can be demolished based solely on allegations of a crime. The Supreme Court stressed that proper legal procedures must be followed.