Don’t Interfere in Karnataka’s Affairs, Shivakumar Tells Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday asked Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan not to interfere in Karnataka’s internal matters, following criticism over an anti-encroachment drive in north Bengaluru.

Vijayan had earlier described the reported demolition of Muslim residential areas in the city as “shocking and painful.” In a social media post, the Kerala Chief Minister referred to the alleged bulldozing of Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout, where Muslim families were said to have been living for several years.

Responding to the remarks, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress president, said the comments were made without understanding the facts. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the issue was being politicised ahead of elections.

“It is unfortunate that senior leaders comment without knowing the ground reality. This was not about targeting any community. It was an issue of land encroachment,” Shivakumar said.

He explained that the land in question was a notified site meant for solid waste management and was earlier a quarry pit. According to him, the area posed serious health and safety risks, and illegal occupation had taken place overnight.

“The place is dangerous and unfit for habitation. This was land grabbing, and the government acted to protect public land,” he said, adding that most of the encroachers were outsiders, with only a few locals involved.

Shivakumar assured that the Congress-led government in Karnataka would act humanely and provide alternative housing to eligible families as per rules. He said rehabilitation would be done under schemes such as the Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana, but only genuine beneficiaries would be considered.

Clarifying reports of bulldozer action, the Deputy CM said no bulldozers were used and that the operation was carried out to safeguard a public utility site in the heart of the city. He stressed that Bengaluru should not encourage slums created by land mafias.

“This is a routine exercise in Bengaluru. We don’t want to create unsafe slums. If people are eligible, we will give them houses,” he said.

Shivakumar also noted that the site falls under the Byatarayanapura Assembly constituency, represented by Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who was aware of the situation and had instructed officials to prevent land grabbing.

He added that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan are discussing rehabilitation measures with officials. A detailed report on the issue has been prepared and will be shared with Kerala leaders as well, he said.

In his statement, Pinarayi Vijayan had alleged that the incident reflected a form of minority-targeted politics seen earlier in North India and expressed concern that such practices were now spreading to southern states. He also questioned how what he described as “bulldozer justice” could take place under a Congress-led government.