Hundreds of Muslim homes bulldozed in India
Pre-dawn demolition leaves thousands homeless as residents say no notice or compensation was provided during clearance operation
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Authorities in Bengaluru, a major technology hub in southern India, carried out a pre-dawn demolition drive on Saturday that flattened hundreds of homes in two Muslim-majority settlements, leaving more than 3,000 people homeless without compensation or immediate relief, residents said.
The operation began around 4 am in Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout in Kogilu village near Yelahanka, on the northern outskirts of the city. Residents said heavy machinery moved in under police protection while families were still asleep, giving them no time to retrieve belongings. Many, including elderly residents and children, were left exposed to winter conditions with no food, water or shelter.
According to Maktoob Media, residents said they had lived in the area for 20 to 30 years and possessed government-issued documents such as voter identity cards and Aadhaar, India’s national biometric ID system, and ration cards.
Several affected families said they had repeatedly participated in elections and believed their documentation and long-term residence would protect them from sudden eviction.
Residents described being prevented from salvaging household items as bulldozers crushed homes and handcarts used for daily survival.
Families said electricity and internet connections were cut a day earlier, adding to fears that the demolition was imminent, even though no written notice was served. Parents said hundreds of children from the settlements attend nearby government and private schools and were left stranded when homes were razed.
Officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority said the structures were unauthorized and built on land adjoining a small pond near a government school. They described the clearance as an encroachment removal exercise and alleged that residents had migrated from other parts of southern India.
Residents disputed these claims, saying the land had been occupied for decades and that no alternative housing or rehabilitation plan was offered.
Witnesses said nearly 150 police personnel, including senior officers, were deployed during the operation, while four heavy earthmovers were used to demolish more than 400 structures.
By the end of the drive, entire neighborhoods had been cleared, with families gathering around rubble holding documents they said proved their legal existence.
Residents said district administration officials briefly visited the site during the demolition but did not provide written explanations, assurances of relief or timelines for resettlement. As night fell, families remained outdoors with children and elderly members, uncertain where they would go next.
Urban housing advocates say such demolition drives have become increasingly common in Indian cities, often targeting informal Muslim settlements under the banner of encroachment removal, raising questions about due process, notice requirements and the absence of rehabilitation measures mandated under housing and urban welfare frameworks.
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