Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday came in defence of Karnataka government’s demolition drive in Bengaluru, saying notices had been issued to the residence before eviction and alternate arrangements had been made.
Speaking to reporters in Thriuvananthapuram, Tharoor listed two reasons why the state government went ahead with the demolition drive. “First, the land belonged to the government, and people were living there illegally. Second, it was a garbage dump and toxic waste had contaminated the water, so it was not a fit place for people to live,” he said.
The Lok Sabha MP stated that the residents had been issued proper notices and that he did not see justice in politically projecting the issue only on the basis that the affected people were poor.
He noted that the government had taken a decision to provide temporary accommodation and has promised permanent housing within five to six months.
“There may be flaws in the shifting process and there can be differences of opinion on how it was done. But a promise has been given to find a solution,” he said.
VIDEO | Thiruvananthapuram: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "It is not fair to say that the Karnataka government demolished illegally constructed houses at Kogilu in Bengaluru because the occupants belonged to minority communities."
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 2, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos –… pic.twitter.com/wwOM0LppCE
The MP’s remarks came amid a political controversy over bulldozing of Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout, where Muslim families had been living for many years.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the move and alleged that the incident reflected a form of minority-targeting politics seen earlier in North India.
His remarks drew sharp reaction from Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar who asked the Kerala CM not to interfere in the matter "without knowing the facts" on the ground.
Vijayan’s social media post, however, prompted the Congress high command to intervene, with general secretary K.C. Venugopal expressing the party leadership’s “serious concern” over the eviction drive.
Venugopal said the party believed such actions should have been carried out with more caution, sensitivity, and compassion, keeping the human impact at the forefront.
