New Delhi:The Supreme Court's decision on contentious 'bulldozer justice' has generated a new debate, with some political leaders across the country applauding the move while others voice concern.
The court slammed the system of “bulldozer justice” and laid down pan-India guidelines on demolition of properties. It said the Executive cannot become a judge by declaring an accused guilty and demolishing his house.
Welcoming the SC verdict, the Samajwadi Party (SP) linked the bulldozer action to the oppression of Muslims, saying that “now the oppression of minorities will stop in Uttar Pradesh.” The party also demanded compensation of Rs. 25 lakh to the victims of the bulldozer action.
“Muslims have mainly been targeted by bulldozer action, with their homes and properties targeted. Initially, it was used against the mafia, but subsequently, the bulldozers were used to label Muslim criminals. There are many examples like Akbarnagar, which is a Muslim-majority area and was completely demolished,” SP National Spokesperson Ameeque Jamei said.
The party also posted X hailing the SC decision and terming the “bulldozer action” as "totally unjust, unfair, unconstitutional, and illegal.”
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati also reacted to the apex court decision and said that the “terror” of bulldozers will end.
“After today's decision of the honourable Supreme Court regarding bulldozer demolitions and the related strict guidelines, it should be expected that UP and other state governments will manage public interest and welfare properly and smoothly, and the terror of bulldozers will definitely end now,” Mayawati posted on X in Hindi.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi also welcomed the SC verdict in his X post, saying, “The #Bulldozer judgement of the Supreme Court is a welcome relief. The most important part of it is not in its eloquence but in the enforceable guidelines. Hopefully, they will prevent state governments from collectively punishing Muslims and other marginalised groups."
He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier celebrated "bulldozer raj," which the SC called "a lawless state of affairs." “We should remember that no less than @narendramodi has celebrated Bulldozer Raj, which SC today called a lawless state of affairs," Owaisi wrote.
Congress Party’s Uttar Pradesh President Ajay Rai said the verdict would end “jungle raj” in the state. Speaking to PTI, he said, “We welcome the apex court's decision. Hopefully, this decision will end the jungle raj in Uttar Pradesh.”
Communist Party of India-Marxists (CPIM) leader Brinda Karat also hailed the SC decision, saying that she wished “it would have come earlier.”