‘Bulldozer justice’ must stop, has no place in a society governed by the rule of law, says Congress

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

TBulldozer “justice” has no place in a country governed by the rule of law and “repeated targeting of minorities” is deeply troubling, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Saturday. The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said demolishing someone’s home and rendering their family homeless is both “inhumane and unjust”.

His remarks come after the house of a man who allegedly indulged in violence in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district during a protest was demolished. An official had said that the house of Shahzad Ali under the Kotwali police station limits was demolished. A case was registered against against 150 people for violence on Wednesday.

Members of the Muslim community had organised a protest against allegedly objectionable remarks made against Islam made by Ramgiri Maharaj at Shah Panchale village in Sinnar taluk of Maharashtra’s Nashik district during a religious event a few days ago. But the protest turned violent, with two policemen sustaining injuries, and damage caused to several vehicles.

In a post on social media platform X, Mr. Kharge condemned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State governments for disregarding the Constitution, and said offences must be adjudicated in the courts. “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,” Mr. Kharge said, without specifically referring to the Madhya Pradesh incident.

“Demolishing someone’s home and rendering their family homeless is both inhumane and unjust. Such actions have no place in a society governed by the Rule of Law. The repeated targeting of minorities in BJP-ruled states is deeply troubling,” the Congress chief added.

Echoing Mr. Kharge, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said in a post on X that if someone was accused of a crime, then only the courts could decide on the crime and punishment.

Unacceptable, says Priyanka

“But punishing the family of the accused as soon as the allegation is made, taking away the roof from their heads, not following the law, disobeying the court, and demolishing the house of the accused as soon as the allegation is made – this is not justice. This is the height of barbarism and injustice,” Ms. Vadra said.

The Congress leader said there should be a difference between “lawmakers, law keepers and lawbreakers”. “Governments cannot behave like criminals. Obeying the law, constitution, democracy and humanity is the minimum condition of governance in a civilized society. One who cannot fulfil rajdharma [moral duty] can neither work for the welfare of the society nor the country. Bulldozer justice is completely unacceptable, it must stop,” Ms. Vadra said.

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