The Supreme Court’s order against arbitrary bulldozer action is being considered as the biggest blow to the UP government. In UP itself, for the first time in 2017, bulldozer action was started against the accused and the guilty person. Gradually this trend of action started in different states of the country.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had also made bulldozer his election symbol in the 2022 rally. A bulldozer was kept in every rally and Yogi used to appeal to the people by showing it.
SC’s decision is also a shock for Yogi
1. According to reports, from 2017 to 2024, more than 1900 bulldozer operations have taken place across the country. Among these, maximum bulldozer action has taken place in UP. About 1500 bulldozer operations have taken place in Uttar Pradesh in the last 7 years.
According to the UP government, all these actions have been taken on illegal construction. The petitioners said that the bulldozer action was taken after seeing the Muslim accused.
2. Through bulldozer action in UP, BJP government has got immediate relief regarding crime control. For example, the government, which had gone on the back foot due to the collapse of the accused’s house, would immediately come on the front foot. Because of this, despite the increasing crime, the government was never surrounded.
Now the Supreme decision has increased the tension of the government. Now Yogi government will have to find another strong way regarding crime control.
3. The action of bulldozer had also enhanced the image of Yogi Adityanath as a harsh administrator. He was given the title of Bulldozer Baba in political circles. Yogi was also very happy with this title and kept calling his action as the best action.
Recently, on the uproar over bulldozer action, Yogi had said that it requires heart and soul to make it work.
Not only this, Yogi has been talking about bulldozer action in every rally. The audience has been clapping a lot on his statement, but now after the Supreme Court decision, Yogi Adityanath will have to take some other measures to strengthen his image.
Assembly elections are to be held in UP after 2 years from now. In such a situation, it is a matter of great tension for the government.
4. Muslims were not vocal in Uttar Pradesh due to the action of bulldozers. Now he will be politically vocal and will play a big role in the 2027 elections. This can also prove to be a political setback for the Yogi government which is already running on the back foot due to PDA.
Not only this, the CMs of other BJP states were carrying forward the bulldozer action under the watchful eye of Yogi Adityanath. Due to this, Yogi Adityanath was taking lead in BJP’s politics compared to other Chief Ministers across the country. Now this will not be possible.
5. Recently, the Supreme Court had given its verdict against a bulldozer action in Maharajganj, UP. The court had ordered the government and its associated officials to pay a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the victim’s family.
In such a situation, the UP government will no longer be able to directly say that the bulldozer has been used only on illegal construction.
What has the Supreme Court said in its decision?
While issuing guidelines of 15 points, the Supreme Court has said to ban bulldozer action. The court said that the right to shelter is a fundamental right and no officer can abrogate it.
While delivering the verdict, the bench headed by Justice BR Gavai said that neither the state nor the executive has the power to hold the accused person guilty. The court said that we are sitting to do justice.
The Supreme Court said in its decision that if someone’s house is demolished without rules, then strict action will be taken against the concerned officials. The court has asked the same officers to collect fine for compensation.
While giving the verdict under Article 142, the Supreme Court has said that all the states should issue circulation regarding bulldozer action and give instructions to their officials. Not doing so would be an insult to the court.
