BJP forms fact-finding committee on Bengaluru’s Kogilu Layout demolition

Karnataka BJP chief B Y Vijayendra sets up a seven-member committee to probe the demolition of illegal houses near Yelahanka, amid sharp political exchanges and inter-state reactions.

The Karnataka BJP on December 31 constituted a “fact-finding committee” to examine the demolition of illegally constructed houses during a drive to clear encroachments on government land in north Bengaluru. The move comes as the issue has snowballed into a major political controversy, drawing reactions from leaders in Kerala as well.

Announcing the decision, Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra said the committee has been tasked with ascertaining the facts behind the demolition of houses at Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout near Kogilu in Yelahanka. The panel has been directed to visit the site, conduct inquiries, and submit a detailed report within a week.

The seven-member committee includes BJP legislators and leaders, among them MLAs S R Vishwanath and S Muniraju.

Also Read:RBI defers fast cheque clearance rollout, full implementation likely next financial year

The demolition drive, carried out on December 20 by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited, was aimed at clearing encroachments to facilitate a proposed solid waste processing unit. Officials maintained that the structures were unauthorised and built without official permissions, and noted that most occupants were migrants from other states.

The issue intensified after the state government announced rehabilitation for “genuine” homeless persons whose illegal houses were razed. The BJP criticised the decision, calling it “appeasement politics”, and argued that it could encourage encroachment and illegal settlements.

Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accused the Congress government of fostering a “mini Bangladesh” in the state through what he termed appeasement, and questioned the policy of allotting houses to those whose unauthorised structures were demolished.

Also Read:RCB in trouble ahead of IPL 2026: Yash Dayal uncertainty, ₹7 crore Venkatesh Iyer buy raises questions

BJP leaders further alleged “Muslim appeasement politics”, claiming that many of the demolished illegal houses belonged to members of the community. They also questioned the speed with which rehabilitation was announced, pointing out that the move followed the demolition of 167 illegal houses or sheds and the political backlash that ensued.

The controversy crossed state borders after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the demolitions as a “brutal normalisation of the bulldozer raj.” Subsequently, Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal, who is also from Kerala, intervened and conveyed the AICC’s serious concerns to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, urging that such actions be undertaken with greater caution, sensitivity and compassion, keeping the human impact in focus.

Also Read:Bengaluru’s luxury property market sees record deals in 2025