Akhilesh questioned the chief minister’s actions, asking about the approval of his residence’s map and accusing him of targeting certain individuals for “revenge” and “humiliation”.The SP chief also pointed out the Supreme Court’s recent statement against the use of bulldozers and demanded an apology from the government for its past operations.
“You deliberately ran the bulldozer on those from whom you wanted to take revenge, to humiliate them…Yesterday the Supreme Court said that a bulldozer cannot be used. So will the government apologize for the bulldozer operation that was going on till now or not?” Akhilesh said while speaking to reporters.
“As far as heart and mind is concerned, I just want to say that there is no brain in a bulldozer, it runs by the steering. The people of Uttar Pradesh can change the steering of someone’s bulldozer,” he added.
Akhilesh’s response came soon after Yogi Adityanath reaffirmed his stance on taking “bulldozer action” and said that such decisions require both capability and commitment. He praised the efforts of the state’s law enforcement agencies in delivering swift justice and accused the opposition of attempting to mislead the people of Uttar Pradesh.
“Bulldozer pe har ek vyakti ke haath nahi fit ho sakte (Not everyone’s hands can fit on a bulldozer). It needs heart and brain both. One who has the capability and dedication like a bulldozer can only operate it. Those who bow down before the rioters will anyway lose steam in front of the bulldozer,” Yogi said.
What Supreme Court said on ‘bulldozer action’
The top court recently heard several petitions challenging the use of bulldozers and demolition actions taken by authorities against the homes of individuals accused of crimes. During the proceedings, the bench, comprising Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan, observed that it wanted to resolve the issue on a “pan-India basis”, clarifying that it was not trying to save any illegal structure/extension from action by the authorities.
The court asked, “How can house be demolished just because he is accused? Can’t be demolished even if he’s convict. Even after telling SC Bar is … we don’t find any change in attitude.”
The bench emphasised that while they do not support illegal constructions on roads or other public spaces, any demolition of properties must be carried out in accordance with the law. The court further said that even if a person is a convict, his house can’t be demolished without following procedure prescribed by law.
“We are not for illegal constructions on road etc. But demolition of properties have to be in accordance with law,” the court said.
Source Agencies
