Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Wardha in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region on Friday to participate in the ‘National PM Vishwakarma Programme’. The event, marking one year of progress made under the scheme (Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma), will witness PM Modi issuing certificates and releasing loans to the beneficiaries.
Symbolising the tangible support extended to artisans under this Scheme, PM Modi will also distribute credit under the PM Vishwakarma to 18 beneficiaries in 18 trades.
As a tribute to their legacy and enduring contribution to society, the Prime Minister will release a commemorative stamp dedicated to marking one year of progress under PM Vishwakarma which aims at improving the quality as well as the reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople and to ensure that ‘Vishwakarmas’ are integrated into the domestic and global value chains, an official said on Thursday.
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation of PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park at Amravati. The 1, 000-acre park is being developed by Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) as the State Implementation Agency.
The Central government had approved setting up of 7 PM MITRA Parks for the Textile industry. PM MITRA Parks are a major step forward in realising the vision of making India a global hub for textile manufacturing and exports. According to officials, the facilities will help in creating world-class industrial infrastructure and attract large scale investment including foreign direct investment (FDI) and encourage innovation and job creation within the sector.
The Prime Minister will also launch the Maharashtra government’s “Acharya Chanakya Skill Development Centre” scheme.
The scheme envisages setting up skill development training centres at renowned colleges across the state to provide training to youth aged 15 to 45, enabling them to become self-reliant and access various employment opportunities. Around 1, 50, 000 youths across the state will receive free skill development training each year.
Further, PM Modi will also launch “Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme”. Under the scheme, early-stage support will be given to women-led startups in Maharashtra.
New Delhi: The Government of Uttar Pradesh will purchase 120 electric buses which will operate across Lucknow, Aligarh, Moradabad, Ayodhya, and Gorakhpur.
Under the directives of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the process to add 120 electric buses (in addition to 100 buses) to the fleet of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is progressing rapidly.
These buses will operate in five cities of Aligarh, Moradabad, Lucknow, Ayodhya, and Gorakhpur. These electric buses will be equipped with modern facilities and advanced equipment. Aligarh and Moradabad regions will each receive 30 electric buses, while Lucknow, Ayodhya, and Gorakhpur will each have 20 electric buses operating.
According to Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, in the Aligarh region, 10 electric buses will operate on the Aligarh-Noida via Jewar route, four buses on the Aligarh-Ballabgarh-Faridabad route, four buses on the Aligarh-Mathura route, eight buses on the Aligarh-Kaushambi via Khurja route, and four buses on the Aligarh-Dibai-Anupshahr-Sambhal-Moradabad route.
Similarly, 30 electric buses will operate in the Moradabad region. Of these, 10 buses will run on the Moradabad-Kaushambi route, six on the Moradabad-Meerut route, four on the Moradabad-Najibabad Kotdwar route, two on the Kathghar-Bareilly route, four on the Kathghar-Haldwani route, two on the Kathghar-Aligarh route, and two on the Kathghar-Ramnagar route.
In the Lucknow region, 20 electric buses will operate on the New Barabanki Station-Awadh Bus Station route. Similarly, in the Ayodhya region, four buses will run on the Ayodhya-Lucknow route, four on the Ayodhya-Gorakhpur route, six on the Ayodhya-Prayagraj-Gonda route, and six on the Ayodhya-Sultanpur-Varanasi route. A total of 20 electric buses will operate in the Ayodhya region.
In the Gorakhpur region, 20 electric buses will be operational. Three buses will run on the Gorakhpur-Azamgarh-Varanasi route, 3 on the Gorakhpur-Ghazipur-Varanasi route, four on the Gorakhpur-Ayodhya route, four on the Gorakhpur-Sonauli route, two on the Gorakhpur-Maharajganj-Thuthibari route, one on the Gorakhpur-Siddharthnagar and Gorakhpur-Padrauna routes each, and two on the Gorakhpur-Tamkuhi route.
The tender process for these buses will soon commence.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the turnout in the first phase of the Assembly election in J&K has shown that the people there are very enthusiastic about the elections and are keen to make the poll process vibrant.
PM Modi will be in the union territory to address two election rallies in J&K –Srinagar and Katra. The second phase of the Assembly polls in the UT is scheduled for September 25.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “I look forward to being among the people of Jammu and Kashmir today. Will address a rally in Srinagar and Katra. Yesterday’s turnout has shown that the people of J&K are very enthusiastic about the elections and are keen to make the poll process vibrant.”
He further said in the post that he would speak about the development agenda and “seek people’s blessings”.
The Prime Minister is slated to address a public rally at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar around noon, followed by another at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra at 3:00 p.m.
This will be the Prime Minister’s first election rally in Kashmir for ongoing Assembly elections. Earlier, he addressed a public meeting for the BJP in Jammu’s Doda on September 14.
BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh has said that Prime Minister Modi’s visit to J&K would be a “game changer”.Talking to reporters after he visited the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, Chugh said: “People of J&K love the Prime Minister. We have seen in the past whenever he has visited J&K, people in large numbers have welcomed him. Thursday’s visit of PM Modi will be a game changer, rather a milestone event for the people of J&K.”
Foolproof security arrangements in coordination have been made in and around the rally venues.
An SPG team had arrived in Srinagar four days ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to coordinate with the UT authorities regarding the details for the protection of the VVIP.
Located in the Ram Munshibagh area of Srinagar, Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium can accommodate a large number of people. The passage for participants at the venue in Srinagar will be regulated and police said some traffic diversions will also be made.
“For the visit of the Prime Minister, there is a detailed standard operating procedure (SoP) governing such a visit and we are following that to the minutest detail, ” said police.
All high-rise buildings around the venue will be taken over by sharpshooters of the security forces and electronic surveillance will be augmented by human security to ensure foolproof security set-up.
On Wednesday, ahead of the polling for the first phase, the PM in a post on X said, “As the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections begins, I urge all those in constituencies going to the polls today to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy.”
He also urged the youth and first-time voters to exercise their franchise enthusiastically. “I particularly call upon young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise, ” the PM said.
New Delhi : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday condemned the NDA’s double-engine government for its “failure” to prevent a violent incident in Bihar’s Nawada district and “indifference” towards Dalits.
His remarks come a day after more than 25 homes in the Dalits’ settlement in Nawada were set ablaze by miscreants over a property dispute.
“The terror inflicted on the Mahadalit colony in Nawada, Bihar, is yet another example of the jungle raj under the NDA double-engine government, ” Kharge stated in a post on X.
Kharge expressed his outrage over the attack, saying, “It is condemnable that around 100 Dalit houses were set on fire, there was firing, and everything the poor families had was stolen in the dead of night.”
He criticised both the BJP and JD-U, accusing the double-engine government of “neglecting” its duty to maintain law and order in Bihar.
“The BJP and its allies’ complete disregard for the Dalits and the underprivileged, their criminal neglect, and their encouragement of anti-social elements have reached its peak. Prime Minister Modi remains silent as usual, Nitish Kumar is not bothered by his greed for power and the NDA allies are speechless, ” Kharge added.
Opposition parties have also blamed the government for “failing” to curb the rise in crimes against marginalised communities across the country.
According to villagers, many homes were reduced to ashes in the blaze.
Police have reportedly arrested 10 suspects in connection with the attack and the search for other accused is underway.
Following the incident, there was widespread panic, forcing many victims to seek shelter in neighbouring villages.
Earlier on Wednesday, Sunil Kumar, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Sadar-2, Nawada district, confirmed that the incident stemmed from a property dispute and that the law and order situation is under control in the region.
The accused have allegedly fired several rounds in the village to terrorise the victims. The district police claimed that no one was injured or killed in this attack.
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah hit out at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for “playing politics” over the Agnipath scheme and said that is the BJP’s responsibility to ensure jobs for Agniveers from Haryana, who are not retained after their four-year tenure in the armed forces under the short-term military recruitment plan.
Addressing a rally in Loharu in Bhiwani district of Haryana, which goes to the polls on October 5, Home Minister Shah accused the Congress of spreading fake narratives.
“They claimed that Agniveer soldiers would have neither work nor pensions. But I want to tell you that under the Agnipath scheme, soldiers are receiving 20 per cent reservations in police services… If any Agniveer returns, he will not be without a job and the BJP takes responsibility for this, ” he said.
Targeting Rahul Gandhi, Home Minister Shah said: “The Congress, especially Rahul ‘Baba’, is playing politics. I want to tell Haryana’s youth that ‘Hooda and company’, whose job is to spread lies, are saying what will happen to Agniveers later… but what I say, I do it.”
He was referring to former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
The Agnipath scheme was introduced by the Central government on June 14, 2022, for short-term induction of personnel in the armed forces. It seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them in regular service. Those recruited under the new scheme are called Agniveers.
The government said replacing the legacy system would lower the age profile of the armed forces, ensure a fitter military and create a technically skilled war fighting force capable of meeting future challenges. But the decision sparked widespread protests and forced a concerted outreach by the government to scotch apprehensions about the scheme.
The controversy became a major electoral issue in Haryana, where tens of thousands of young men train for years to get into the armed forces.
The Congress promised to scrap Agnipath scheme if it came to power and the discontent around the scheme was seen as a major reason why the BJP slipped from 10 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 to just five in 2024. The issue is expected to play an even bigger role in the Assembly polls, when the BJP will vie for a third term.
Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Home Minister Shah said soldiers were seeking “One Rank, One Pension” for 40 years, but the party never fulfilled the demand.
“The people elected (Narendra) Modi ji as PM in 2014, and by 2015, he made it a reality, ” he said.
New Delhi : The Congress on Wednesday filed a police complaint over the recent statements of leaders belonging to the ruling NDA targeting Rahul Gandhi, alleging that they were aimed at jeopardising his security and disturbing peace in view of the polls in Jammu and Kashmir, and Haryana.
In the complaint submitted to the SHO of the Tughlaq Road police station by AICC treasurer and general secretary Ajay Maken, the Congress cited the recent remarks by BJP leaders Tarvinder Singh Marwah, Ravneet Singh Bittu and Raghuraj Singh, as well as that of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad.
Ajay Maken sought registration of FIRs against the leaders.
Speaking with the media after filing the complaint, Maken said, “We all know that late Indira Gandhi ji and late Rajiv ji have sacrificed their lives for the country. Even after that, they are giving such threats.”
Politics in India cannot stoop to a lower level than this, he said. Not just one BJP leader, but many leaders have said such things, but BJP did not take any action, he said.
“Rahul Gandhi talks about SC, ST, OBC, tribal and minority people. That is why BJP people do not like his words. This is the reason why they are threatening him,” he said.
“But let me tell you — this is the Congress party and we are not going to be scared or cowed down,” Maken said.
In the police complaint, Maken said, “On September 11, Marwah in a BJP event openly issued an assassination threat against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, wherein he said that ‘Rahul Gandhi baaz aaja, nahi toh aane wale time mein tera bhi wohi haal hoga jo teri dadi ka haal hua (you better behave, or you will meet the same fate as your grandmother)’”.
It also cited Sena MLA Gaikwad’s announcement of a bounty of Rs 11 lakh for anyone who will cut the tongue of the Leader of Opposition.
The complaint cited Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu’s remarks, calling the Leader of Opposition the “number one terrorist of the country”.
On Tuesday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had raised with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the issue of “extremely objectionable” and violent statements by ruling alliance members targeting Rahul Gandhi and urged him to discipline his leaders.
In his letter to Modi, Kharge asserted that strict legal action should be taken against those giving such statements so that Indian politics can be prevented from degenerating and nothing untoward happens.
Chandigarh: Amid media reports that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been hospitalised in New Delhi, the Opposition questioned his whereabouts and “misuse” of public money on his travel expenses, besides wishing him a speedy recovery.
However, there has been no statement either by the party or the government over the media reports.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that Chief Minister Mann had consumed liquor illegally during a chartered flight from Delhi to Chandigarh due to which he fell down on the tarmac after alighting from the aircraft. He demanded an appropriate probe into the case.
Talking to the media in Patiala, Majithia claimed, “The Chief Minister partook liquor along with his OSD during the flight from Delhi to Chandigarh.”
Professing that the Chief Minister was tense for the past two days after party supremo Arvind Kejriwal informed him that he would also have to resign, Majithia said, “This could have been the trigger point for the subsequent liquor binge. Punjabis are witness to how the Chief Minister was in an inebriated state during his interview with an electronic channel one day earlier.”
Stating that the Chief Minister was taken back to Delhi in a chartered plane which he described as a criminal waste of state resources, Majithia said, “The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government must explain why he was not admitted in any hospital in Chandigarh or Punjab? The reason is simple. If the Chief Minister had been admitted to any state hospital, the truth would have come out that he had fallen down under the influence of liquor.”
The SAD leader said in a statement that this was not the first time the Chief Minister had made a spectacle of himself under the influence of liquor. He said earlier Mann was de-boarded from a Lufthansa flight because he was inebriated.
Taking a jibe over the claims of the AAP governments in Punjab and Delhi for the best state-run hospitals and clinics, Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa wrote on X, “CM @BhagwantMann and former Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal have repeatedly claimed that government hospitals in Punjab and Delhi are at par with private ones.
“Yet when it comes to their own health, CM Mann opts for a private hospital in Delhi! The hypocrisy is staggering. It’s clear now that these so-called ‘champions of the common man’ have been misleading the public with their tall claims.
“The reality is far from the picture they’ve painted. AAP’s promises are nothing more than political theatrics, and the people of Punjab and Delhi deserve better. The cat is finally out of the bag — Kejriwal and Mann are compulsive liars who’ve failed to deliver.”
Praying for his swift recovery, Leader of Opposition Bajwa said, “As he (Mann) grapples with recurring health issues, including those affecting vital organs like the liver, it’s a stark reminder that while his personal health is crucial, Punjab’s health has deteriorated beyond repair under his leadership. A sensitive border state like ours demands full strength — physical, mental, and political.”
Bhopal: President Droupadi Murmu will be visiting Madhya Pradesh’s economic city Indore on Wednesday.
As per the official information, she would arrive at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport, Indore at 4:50 p.m. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav along with some other ministers will receive her at the airport.
During her two-day visit to Indore, Murmu will participate in several events and address the gathering.
She will be visiting Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain to offer her prayers. Meanwhile, she will lay the foundation stone for the Indore-Ujjain six-lane road project in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
On Thursday, Murmu will address the Safai Mitra Sammelan in Indore. On the same day, she will attend the 14th convocation of the Devi Ahilya University at Indore.
Established by the state government in 1964, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya is completing 60 years this year.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Police have strengthened the security arrangements around the places she would be visiting, including Devi Ahilyabai Airport, Indore.
The police have banned drones, paragliders, and hot air balloons from flying in certain areas of Madhya Pradesh’s Indore.
Drones, paragliders, hot air balloons and other items are banned in the 3-km radius of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore, MG Road, Residency Kothi and Bhanwarkuan intersection in the city, an official said.
On September 20, President Murmu will leave for Jharkhand where she is scheduled to address the centenary celebration of the ICAR-National Institute of Secondary Agriculture in Ranchi.
**EDS: SCREENSHOT VIA PM MODI YOUTUBE** Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojana-Urban, in Bhubaneswar, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (PTI Photo) (PTI09_17_2024_000089A)
Bhubaneswar : Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana at Sabara Sahi in the Gadakana area of Bhubaneswar during his one-day visit to Odisha on Tuesday.
During his interactions with the beneficiaries in the locality, PM Modi enquired about their economic conditions and the benefits they got under other government schemes.
Thanking PM Modi and the government, the beneficiaries were informed about benefits through various social welfare schemes such as PMAY, Swach Bharat Yojana, Svanidhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana.
They also thanked PM Modi for the SUBHADRA scheme, the flagship scheme of the newly elected BJP government in Odisha. The beneficiaries greeted PM Modi on his 74th birthday.
One of the beneficiaries engaged in sewing and tailoring work was asked by the PM to make a Kurta for him.
When PM Modi enquired, the beneficiaries claimed that they hadn’t given any bribe to any official while availing the benefits under various government schemes.
The Prime Minister urged all the beneficiaries to plant a tree ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (Maa pain gachha tie) initiative. He advised them to avoid using plastics and polythene bags while buying anything from the market.
He offered to visit one of the beneficiaries’ homes and have a meal there.
PM Modi also took part in the ‘Gruha Prabesha’ of the beneficiaries at the slum in the Gadakana area on the occasion of his 74th birthday.
The residents of the slum accorded a grand welcome to the Prime Minister as per the local tradition with ‘Anga Bastra’ and sandalwood paste. He also relished the sweet Odia delicacy, ‘Khiri’ or Payas at one of the beneficiary’s new homes where he also worshipped Lord Jagannath.
While sharing his experience of participating in the Grih Pravesh and eating Khiri during his speech at the launching programme of the SUBHADRA scheme, the Prime Minister reminisced about his mother and said that he can never forget their(beneficiaries) happiness and the satisfaction of their faces.
“This experience, this feeling is worth the treasures of my entire life. This happiness as a result of change coming in the lives of the poor, Dalit, deprived and tribal society gives me the energy to work harder, ” PM Modi affirmed.
Taking a serious view of the growing trend of delivering ‘bulldozer justice’ in some states, where governments use bulldozers to raze the properties of individuals accused of crimes, the Supreme Court said it would lay down “pan-India” guidelines on the issue. A report by Mudit Mathur
Expressing serious concern over bulldozers being used to demolish the houses of people accused of some crime in some states, the Supreme Court recently said it would lay down “pan-India” guidelines on the issue. The court took a serious view of the growing trend of ‘bulldozer justice’ in BJP-ruled states, where governments have been using bulldozers to demolish the properties of individuals accused of crimes without following proper legal procedures.
While hearing a long-pending plea against the demolition drive in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area soon after the 2022 riots, the Bench comprising Justices L. Nageshwar Rao and B.R. Gavai initially granted status quo on the grounds of Jahangirpuri at that time issuing notices to the NDMC, the Union government, and the state governments of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat in petitions filed by the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.
The apex court had to intervene stopping the panicky trend of demolition which saw various states and NDMC demolishing many structures using bulldozers, allegedly, without following due process of law in the name of removing illegal encroachments that by and large belong to targeted religious minorities. The court took a serious view on non-compliance of its orders in the continuing demolition drive by NDMC in the Jahangirpuri area where communal riots broke out on “Hanuman Jayanti” processions in 2022 disturbing the peace and harmony of the region.
Since Justice Rao retired, the matter came up before a bench headed by Justice B R Gavai after more than two years for a final hearing. “It is a settled position of law. How can anybody’s house be demolished only because he is an accused? Even if he is a convict, it can’t be razed without following the procedure prescribed by law,” Justice Gavai questioned.
“We propose to lay down certain guidelines on a pan-India basis so that the concerns with regard to the issues raised are taken care of,” said the bench, which comprised Justice K.V. Viswanathan. The bench also invited suggestions from the concerned parties for the proposed guidelines.
The bench, however, made it clear that it would not protect unauthorised constructions. “Every municipal law has a provision for demolition of unauthorised construction. We are not going to protect any unauthorised construction or encroachment on public roads, not even the temples on the public road,” Justice Gavai clarified.
“Why can’t some guidelines… not be laid down? Notice, time period, response, reply, order, time for legal remedy, avoid backdating, some communication with the central secretariat, the nodal agency, and automated reply so that there is no fear. And in taking off from what you have fairly and in a non-adversarial manner said, so that it’s put in position across the states, and directions issued,” remarked Justice Viswanathan.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the actions of the Uttar Pradesh government, stating that the demolition followed due process of law, adding, ‘It is not as it is being portrayed.’ Mehta agreed with the Bench about the settled position of law leading to the demolition of unauthorised construction.
Arguing for the petitioners, Dushyant Dave maintained that the Delhi demolition drive was initiated after the VHP and Bajrang Dal were denied police permission to carry out a procession. “Is this an unauthorised construction,” he questioned.
The apex court is examining the allegations outlined in the various petitions as to whether the states and its civic bodies have assumed the role of the judge, jury, and executioner, and carrying out demolition drives to punish persons who have not even been found guilty by any process of law – showing total disregard for the settled law as well as the directions of the top court while executing demolitions.
The apex court is examining allegations in various petitions that states and their civic bodies have assumed the roles of judge, jury, and executioner, carrying out demolition drives to punish individuals who have not been found guilty through any legal process, reflecting total disregard for settled law and the directions of the top court in executing demolitions.
Reports of such demolitions by rolling bulldozers have appeared in media from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi where allegations of targeted violence against the people belonging to minorities and weaker sections with political overtones have surfaced.
The writ petitions were filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and many other public personalities including CPM leader Brinda Karat, Advocates Madhu Saran, Rebecca George, Amita V Joseph, Pyoli, Somesh Chandra Jha, Purvish Jitendra Malkan, Aldanish Rein, Mohd. Asad Khan, Adil Sharfuddin, Mary Mitzee Mayne and Sumita Hazarika. They have espoused Public Interest litigation in the interest of the poor persons who have now been rendered homeless or without a source of livelihood. The authorities have used bulldozers to demolish shops, houses and parts of religious places etc. mostly belonging to poor citizens residing there for many decades.
The instances of demolitions that raised the question of legal rationality have been reported from various states drawing national attention. Ironically, such abrupt actions have become a symbol of good governance and have been dubbed as “Bulldozer justice,” which is instantaneously meted to the persons accused of some crime who invariably belong to the minority community.
The issue was raked up in the political discourse during the Lok Sabha poll campaign. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also seemingly endorsed it during the recent Lok Sabha polls. Modi said during a public rally in Barabanki on May 17,2024 “SP aur Congress waale agar satta mein aaye to Ram Lalla ko phir se tent mein bhejenge aur Mandir par bulldozer chalwaadenge. Kya Yogi ji se yahi seekhna hai? Are zara Yogi ji se tuition lo.. bulldozer kahaan chalaana hai kahaan nahin chalaana (If the SP and Congress come to power, they will send Ram Lalla back to the tent and use a bulldozer on the temple. Is this what they have learnt from Yogi Ji? They should learn from him where to use the bulldozer and where not).”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gained popularity after his government machinery conducted many controversial demolition drives and attained the title of “Bulldozer Baba.” In a Robin Hood style, he regained possession of land from the slayed mafia lords and constructed housing for poor people in Prayagraj.
The Uttar Pradesh government used bulldozers to evacuate illegal properties worth Rs. 813 crores from the 25 listed mafia gangs and their 636 associates. Putting them behind bars for criminal offences, the government has confiscated their allegedly ill-gotten immovable properties and released the government land from their illegal possession. These gangs from eastern UP include Atiq Ahmad of Allahabad, Mokhtar Ansari of Mau, Brajesh Singh of Varanasi, Dhurv Kumar Singh of Azamgarh and Khan Mubarak of Ambedkar Nagar.
At an election rally in Mainpuri in February 2022, Adityanath openly threatened his opponents, maintaining that “those getting aggressive would be silenced by bulldozers after the elections”. Soon after the BJP returned to power, the bulldozers were out within a week when houses of some rape accused were demolished to “put pressure on them to surrender”. In June this year, six properties owned by people, named in two separate FIRs in Moradabad and Bareilly districts, were demolished.
In Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar’s government resorted to “bulldozer justice” after the communal riots erupted during a VHP Yatra in Nuh in July last year resulting in the death of six people. The drive, under which several homes and other structures allegedly belonging to the accused, were demolished triggered an exodus. The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan because of a tough election ahead also tried to copy the polarising persona of Yogi Adityanath using bulldozers in April 2022, in the aftermath of the communal clashes in Khargone. His government demolished 16 houses and 29 structures. Soon, Chauhan came to be referred to as “Bulldozer Mama”. The “Bulldozer” model was applied in Rajasthan, Assam, and Delhi too.
