The bulldozer has become the embodiment of Hindutva state violence. It is so intertwined with Hindutva politics that open and direct references to bulldozer violence and calls for demolitions are routinely made by far-right political figures and Hindutva outfits to flex majoritarian might and invoke fear among minorities in equal measure. But the bulldozer is also a symbol of the impunity with which state and political violence are inflicted upon citizens in an India crumbling under Hindutva’s weight, where due process and the rule of law, increasingly, are mere suggestions for the state to take or leave.
Bulldozer action is often used as an extrajudicial punishment against those accused of a crime, but the recipients of this form of state violence have disproportionately been minorities, especially Muslims. The reason cited on paper is often encroachment of municipal land or problems with zoning and land use. However, in November 2024, after years of bulldozer violence being inflicted in the garb of addressing illegal encroachments, the Supreme Court found bulldozer actions meant to act as extrajudicial punitive measures unconstitutional. However, such demolitions across various states didn’t cease following the Supreme Court decision.
Just last week, several demolition notices were sent to Muslim households, a mosque, and a cemetery in a locality in Rajasthan’s Beawar over a case of alleged sexual assault of minor girls and forced conversations, which was termed ‘love jihad’ by local law enforcement and Hindutva outfits. Following demands of ‘bulldozer action’ by Hindutva groups, portions of the house belonging to one of the accused was razed before the Rajasthan High Court stayed further demolitions, with the bench remarking that the government and local authorities seem ‘hell-bent to demolish their construction without taking a decision on their response [to the demolition notices].’
The same week, in Maharashtra’s Malvan, the municipal corporation demolished a scrap shop belonging to a Muslim man after allegations by a Vishwa Hindu Parishad worker that the former’s son had chanted ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ following the India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy match. Another shop belonging to the boy’s uncle was demolished as well, and a vehicle used by the family for their scrap business was damaged during the demolition.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.
