Congress, silent during Babri Masjid demolition, now bulldozes homes of the poor in Karnataka: M Sivaprasad

Thiruvananthapuram: M Sivaprasad, State President of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) in Kerala, has criticised the Karnataka government over the demolition of homes in Yelahanka, alleging that the Congress -led administration is using bulldozers to displace poor minority communities.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Sivaprasad said that while politicians across India, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, have used bulldozers against minority communities, the Congress government in Karnataka is now following a similar approach under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

'The bulldozers in Yelahanka are destroying areas where impoverished minorities have lived for decades, forcing them onto the streets,' he said. He accused the Congress of being unable to protect minorities in the country and suggested that the party is acting in line with the RSS’s agenda.

Sivaprasad also referenced Kerala, asserting that supporters of the ruling party there continue to remain silent on actions taken by the Congress in Karnataka, despite their past criticism of similar incidents.

He drew parallels with historical incidents, including the demolition of the Babri Masjid, highlighting that the Congress remained silent then as well. 'Now, in Karnataka, 3,000 homes have been demolished. Yogi Adityanath, Siddaramaiah, and the Congress have all wielded the bulldozer with the same intent,' he said.

The SFI President's statement comes amid growing concerns over minority rights and urban development policies in Karnataka, with activists alleging that demolitions disproportionately affect marginalised communities.