SDPI Condemns the Brutal Demolition Drive in Yelahanka
A Heinous Assault on the Poor and Vulnerable

The Social Democratic Party of India strongly condemns the heartless and inhumane demolition drive carried out by the Greater Bengaluru Authority and Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited on December 20, 2025, at Kogilu Layout in Yelahanka, Bengaluru. This operation conducted before dawn demolished more than 300 structures and rendered over 350 families homeless. The affected residents are largely Muslim Fakirs who have lived in this area for more than two decades. This action represents a grave betrayal of justice, humanity, and the constitutional rights of marginalized communities.

In a blatant display of administrative excess, earthmovers and heavy machinery entered the settlement in the early hours, supported by nearly 200 personnel including police and marshals, and systematically dismantled homes throughout the day. Electricity had been disconnected three days earlier, adding to the fear and distress. Residents including pregnant women, infants, and elderly persons were given only minutes to vacate, often leaving behind documents, clothes, school certificates, and household essentials that were buried under debris. More than 500 children have since fallen ill due to exposure to cold winds, mud, and dust. Families were forced to take shelter initially in a nearby government school playground, cooking basic meals over open fires and rationing water for survival and hygiene. Education has been disrupted, livelihoods dependent on daily wage work, domestic labor, and devotional services have been destroyed, and unpaid loans have pushed families deeper into debt. Women were subjected to severe hardship due to the lack of sanitation, privacy, and basic dignity.

This five acre clearance on government land, justified as necessary for a solid waste processing facility, exposes the hollow claims of urban development that sacrifice human lives for infrastructure. Despite residents presenting proof of long term residence through Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards, ration cards, electricity bills, and PAN cards, no prior written notice was issued. Claims of informal consultations are contradicted by the scale of suffering witnessed on the ground. A survey by a non governmental organization covering thirty four households revealed minimal access to welfare schemes, underlining decades of neglect faced by this community that survives largely through alms and occasional work.

The Congress government in Karnataka is replicating the bulldozer driven approach associated with the Uttar Pradesh government, targeting the poorest while shielding the powerful. While the homes of the poor were demolished overnight, influential builders continue to illegally encroach upon lakes and canals across Bengaluru without facing any action. This reveals a disturbing double standard and the failure of equitable urban planning.

The Karnataka government must immediately allot permanent housing to all evicted families under schemes such as the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme and ensure urgent relief including temporary shelters, medical care, food, drinking water, sanitary supplies, and restoration of lost documents. The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has rightly taken cognizance of the danger posed to children and demanded compliance and penalties, which must be implemented without delay.

Failure to act will compel the Social Democratic Party of India to organize widespread protests and pursue legal action to secure accountability, compensation, and an end to such discriminatory evictions. This is a moral duty to protect the dignity of every citizen. The SDPI stands firmly with the affected families and urges all people of conscience to join this struggle against injustice.