DK Shivakumar Asks Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Not to Interfere in Karnataka’s Anti-Encroachment Drive

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday strongly objected to comments made by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan regarding an anti-encroachment drive carried out in North Bengaluru.

The row erupted after Vijayan criticised the reported clearance of settlements in Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout, claiming that Muslim families who had lived there for years were displaced. In a Facebook post, the Kerala CM described the incident as “shocking” and linked it to what he called minority-targeting politics.

Responding to the criticism, Shivakumar said Vijayan should not interfere in Karnataka’s internal matters without understanding the facts. He termed the remarks “political gimmicks” and accused the Kerala CM of making statements for electoral reasons.

According to Shivakumar, the land in question was a notified solid waste management site and a former quarry pit, posing serious health and safety risks. He stated that the area was illegally occupied overnight and described the incident as a case of land grabbing rather than a minority issue.

The Deputy CM clarified that no bulldozers were used and said the government’s action was aimed at protecting public land. He emphasised that the Congress-led Karnataka government would provide alternative housing to eligible families under government schemes, including the Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana.

Shivakumar also said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan have instructed officials to prepare a rehabilitation plan for genuine beneficiaries.

Stressing that Bengaluru does not encourage the growth of unsafe slums, Shivakumar said the clearance was a routine administrative exercise and not targeted at any community. He added that the government plans to build lakhs of houses in the city to address housing needs lawfully.

Meanwhile, Vijayan reiterated his concern, alleging that families were displaced during harsh conditions and questioning how such actions could take place under a Congress government in Karnataka.