Yogi Adityanath claims bulldozer will recover "looted" funds in Jharkhand

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stirred controversy on Monday by announcing that a "bulldozer is on standby" to recover alleged looted central funds in Jharkhand. His remarks, made during an election rally in Jamtara, come amid his campaign for the BJP in the ongoing state assembly elections in Jharkhand. Adityanath accused the Hemant Soren-led government of misappropriating natural resources and central funds sent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also alleged that the government had facilitated illegal immigration from Bangladesh and Myanmar, endangering the safety of women and the economic stability of the state.

Adityanath’s comments drew attention due to his notorious association with "bulldozer justice"—a term referring to the demolition of properties linked to criminals in Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, who has earned the nickname “Bulldozer Baba,” has been known for using bulldozers as a tool to curb crime by demolishing properties associated with criminal activities. However, his latest statement comes just days after the Supreme Court of India made a strong statement against this form of justice.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court criticized the practice of demolishing properties without legal procedure, commonly seen in BJP-ruled states, and issued a stern warning. The Court ruled that “bulldozer justice” was unacceptable and laid down strict guidelines to regulate such demolitions. The Court's ruling emphasized that no demolition should take place without a 15-day notice to the property owner, and the property owner must be informed of the nature of the violation. The Court further stated that all demolitions must be video recorded, and failure to comply with these orders could lead to contempt charges.

The ruling came after several petitions challenged the indiscriminate use of bulldozers, claiming they disproportionately targeted marginalized communities and violated constitutional rights. The Court made it clear that the executive cannot act unilaterally to declare someone guilty or destroy their property without following due legal process.

Despite the Supreme Court’s warning, Adityanath doubled down on his controversial rhetoric, aligning his remarks with his political campaign in Jharkhand, which is in the midst of the second phase of its assembly elections. The BJP leader’s words have sparked a new debate on the balance between law enforcement and individual rights, especially in the context of demolitions in states governed by the BJP.

The upcoming election will see voting in the second round on November 20, with votes being counted on November 23. Adityanath's comments on the bulldozer, especially when juxtaposed with the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, have further polarized the political landscape in Jharkhand.