"A stark exploration of the systemic bias and brutality in India’s use of bulldozing homes, revealing the deep-seated political and religious double standards that perpetuate injustice against marginalized communities." Humra Quraishi writes…  

Photography: Vinta Nanda

The practice of bulldozing homes in India is a glaring example of systemic injustice and political bias, disproportionately targeting minority communities like Muslims and also Dalits. This brutal tactic, often justified under questionable legal grounds, exposes the deep-rooted double standards within the country's governance. By examining the impact of these demolitions, the article sheds light on the broader societal implications, including the marginalization of disadvantaged groups and the dangerous rise of state-sanctioned violence. The urgent need for accountability and justice is more pressing than ever.

A Barbaric Response to Crime

The practice of bulldozing homes as a response to crime has become an increasingly alarming and barbaric tactic in India. This method of punishment does not merely target the supposed or alleged culprits but extends to their entire families, their landlords, and sometimes even unrelated individuals. The recent incident in Udaipur, Rajasthan, where the house of a landlord was bulldozed because his tenants were involved in a crime, is a glaring example of this injustice. The rationale given by authorities—that the house was built on unauthorized forest land—raises significant questions. Why was this particular house targeted when many others in the same locality remained untouched? What was the role of the government in sanctioning the construction of a house that was later deemed illegal? These are critical questions that need addressing, especially considering the devastating impact on the lives of those who suddenly find themselves homeless.

The Political Slant of Bulldozing

One cannot ignore the political undertones of these bulldozing incidents. It is glaringly evident that homes belonging to minority and disadvantaged communities, particularly Dalits and Muslims, are disproportionately targeted. The Right-Wing political forces appear to be using bulldozing as a tool to further their agenda, crushing the homes—and with them, the spirits—of those who do not align with their ideology. This is not just about punishing individuals for alleged crimes; it is about sending a message to entire communities, instilling fear, and reinforcing a social hierarchy that keeps certain groups perpetually marginalized.

Double Standards in the Application of Law

The double standards in the application of law are stark. Political commentator and YouTuber Bhasha Singh has pointed out that while homes of disadvantaged communities are bulldozed at the slightest pretext, properties of convicted rapists and murderers with Right-Wing affiliations remain untouched. This selective application of justice is a testament to the deep-rooted biases that plague the system. Young Muslims across the country have expressed their frustration with these double standards. They see a government that shows "artificial concern" for their "Muslim sisters" by focusing on issues like Triple Talaq, while completely ignoring the plight of widows in Vrindavan and Varanasi or women suffering from dowry-related violence. The hypocrisy is palpable, and it fuels resentment and alienation among those who are already marginalized.

Silencing Dissent: The Fear of Speaking Out

One of the most troubling aspects of this situation is the fear that permeates the Muslim community. Young Muslims feel they cannot speak out against injustices, even at the local level, for fear of severe repercussions. They see the Hindutva brigades forming private senas, openly assembling and training, while any attempt by Muslims to organize would be met with immediate and brutal repression. The fear is not unfounded. History has shown that Muslims who dare to raise their voices are often met with disproportionate punishment, sometimes extending to their entire families.

Encounter Specialists and State-Sanctioned Violence

The issue of state-sanctioned violence is further complicated by the role of encounter specialists—police officers who are celebrated for extrajudicial killings, often of Muslim individuals. These encounters are frequently staged, with the victims demonized as threats to national security. The case of Ishrat Jahan, a young Muslim woman killed in an encounter in Gujarat, is a chilling example. Human rights lawyer Vrinda Grover has highlighted the broader pattern of targeting Muslims, using state power to eliminate those deemed undesirable by the ruling establishment. This is not just about isolated incidents; it is about a systemic effort to dehumanize and eradicate a community.

Promises and Betrayals

During the 2018 election campaign in the North East, the BJP promised to send senior citizens of Nagaland on religious trips to Jerusalem, a blatant attempt to woo the Christian majority. Meanwhile, the Central government scrapped the Haj subsidy for Muslims, demonstrating a clear bias in how religious considerations are handled. The hypocrisy extends to dietary practices as well. While ministers from the North East openly talk about their beef-eating traditions, Muslim cattle traders are lynched in public on the pretext of cow protection. These double standards are not just about religious differences; they are about asserting dominance and control over minority communities.

Provocative Remarks and Selective Justice

The BJP leaders frequently make provocative, communal remarks without facing any consequences. Leaders like Sangeet Som, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Giriraj Singh, and others openly threaten and taunt minority communities, yet they continue to enjoy protection and power. In contrast, news reports of arms training camps organized by the VHP and Bajrang Dal in Greater Noida, Varanasi, and Ayodhya receive little attention, and the properties of these organizers remain untouched by the bulldozers. The preferential treatment given to those aligned with the Right-Wing ideology is a clear indicator of the state’s complicity in perpetuating communal divisions.

The Role of Education in Fostering Sectarianism

The RSS-run schools are breeding grounds for the kind of divisive ideology that underpins these acts of violence and discrimination. History textbooks in these schools present a skewed version of India’s past, glorifying Hindu rulers while demonizing Muslims. The emphasis on Hindu nationalism and the denigration of other religions are instilled in young minds, creating a generation that views religious minorities with suspicion and hostility. Former IIT Mumbai Professor Ram Puniyani has highlighted the rigid authoritarianism in these schools, where conformism is valued over critical thinking, and hatred for religious minorities is drilled into children from a young age.

Discrimination in Every Sphere of Life

Discrimination against Muslims is not limited to the bulldozing of homes. It permeates every aspect of their lives, from buying or renting a home to applying for jobs and accessing basic civic facilities. The discrimination is systemic, entrenched in a society that increasingly views Muslims as outsiders in their own country. The recent trend of bulldozing homes is just one manifestation of this broader societal malaise, a brutal reminder of the precariousness of life for those who do not conform to the dominant ideology.

A Call for Justice

The bulldozing of homes is not just a physical act of destruction; it is a symbolic act of erasure. It is an attempt to erase the presence and contributions of entire communities, to render them invisible in the eyes of the nation. This practice, rife with political and religious biases, must be challenged and condemned. The double standards that allow such injustices to occur must be exposed, and the voices of those who have been silenced must be amplified. It is only through a collective demand for justice and equality that we can hope to build a society where no home is destroyed on the whims of those in power. The struggle for justice is not just for the victims of today but for the generations to come.