The political friction between Karnataka and Kerala intensified on Saturday as Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar advised Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to refrain from interfering in Karnataka’s internal matters. The exchange follows Vijayan’s sharp criticism of a recent anti-encroachment drive in North Bengaluru, specifically targeting areas known as Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout. Vijayan had taken to social media to call the demolitions "shocking and painful," suggesting that the "bulldozer justice" often seen in North India was now spreading to the South under a Congress-led government.
Shivakumar, who also serves as the Karnataka Congress president, dismissed these comments as "political gimmicks" timed for the elections. He argued that the Kerala CM was commenting without a full grasp of the local facts. According to Shivakumar, the land in question is actually a quarry pit and a notified waste management site that was illegally occupied overnight. He characterised the situation as a dangerous health hazard and a case of "land grabbing" by outsiders rather than a targeted action against any specific community.
Clarifying the nature of the operation, the Deputy CM emphasised that no bulldozers were used and that the clearance was a routine exercise to protect public land in the heart of the city. He noted that the area falls under the Byatarayanapura Assembly segment, represented by Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who had instructed officers to prevent land-grabbing attempts. Shivakumar insisted that while the government would not tolerate "slums created by land mafias," it remains committed to humanely rehabilitating eligible, genuine residents under the Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan are reportedly already in talks with officials to coordinate the rehabilitation process. Shivakumar said that the state government is prepared to provide a full report to the Kerala CM and other Congress leaders to clear the air. He maintained that the state does not want to encourage the growth of illegal settlements on government land, especially in areas designated for essential services, such as solid waste management.
Also read: Shivakumar, Kharge discuss flaws in VB-G RAM G Act ahead of CWC
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