FEW images have dominated the political discourse in recent times as much as the ‘bulldozer.’ For the Bharatiya Janta Party (‘BJP’), it stands for its ruthless but popular mode of performing ‘justice’ on those it sees as criminals or enemies. For critics, the image of a bulldozer relentlessly demolishing structures is an accurate depiction of the ruling party’s approach toward the rule of law, the autonomy of key public institutions, civil society, and policy-making. The literal bulldozers sprung to action in Uttar Pradesh, to begin with.
When a house is demolished, it is seldom a straightforward transaction involving the State, the accused, and the law. A demolition is witnessed, recorded, circulated, ‘liked’, commented upon, poeticized, memorialised, and perhaps, in Uttar Pradesh today produces more pleasure than pain. Demolition belongs to the genus of punitive measures which take place in the open, amidst, and for the viewers: a public demolition.
How did the public demolition, carried out through bulldozers, emerge as a means to deliver ‘justice’ in Uttar Pradesh?
Kanpur massacre and night of the bulldozer
The beginnings of ‘bulldozer justice’ lie in the sensational events which took place in Kanpur on the intervening night of July 2 and 3 in 2020. The police team which had been sent to nab gangster Vikas Dubey was ambushed by blocking its path using a bulldozer. Eight police persons were ruthlessly killed and seven were grievously injured by Dubey and his associates.
A demolition is witnessed, recorded, circulated, ‘liked’, commented upon, poeticised, memorialised and perhaps, in UP today, produces more pleasure than pain. Demolition belongs to the genus of punitive measures which take place in the open, amidst and for the viewers: a public demolition.
The incident sent shockwaves through the country and severely dented Adityanath’s image as a ‘strong’ Chief Minister. In retaliation, the next day the Kanpur district administration used the same bulldozer, which had blocked the police’s path on that fateful night, and razed the house and SUVs which belonged to Dubey. The demolition was live telecast and was hailed by mainstream media, providing the public with a sense of retributive justice. The UP government was quick to perceive the positive reception of the demolition. Right after the demolition of Dubey’s house, the Chief Minister ordered the demolition of all ‘mafia’ property. During the time of the pandemic and lockdowns, demolitions began all over the state as bulldozers roared through alleys and streets.
This story was originally published in theleaflet.in . Read the full story here