‘BULLDOZER JUSTICE’ IN INDIA -A MODEL OF GOOD GOVERNANCE OR A BRICOLAGE OF GLOBAL AND TERRITORIAL HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS?
AUTHOR – DR SOHINI BANERJEE, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (IISWBM) KOLKATA
BEST CITATION – DR SOHINI BANERJEE, ‘BULLDOZER JUSTICE’ IN INDIA -A MODEL OF GOOD GOVERNANCE OR A BRICOLAGE OF GLOBAL AND TERRITORIAL HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS?, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (13) OF 2025, PG. 751-760, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344
Abstract
Like ethnic cleansing, retaliatory or collective punishment is a subject of International humanitarian law and contrary to International and domestic legislations.This paper focuses on the startling findings of two recent human rights violation reports by Amnesty international and along with it the requirement of an ethical corporate stance that must be taken by a multinational manufacturer of bulldozers.Two recent February 2024 Reports by Amnesty International’s research exposes that Indian authorities in the states of Assam, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have carried out targeted demolitions as deterrent punishment against Muslims people’s homes, business and places for worship for allegedly participating in protests and communal violence. Such forced evictions and collective and arbitrary punishment, impact the rights to adequate housing, livelihood, life and liberty and fair trial of many, including men, women, children and elderly persons. The demolitions were carried out by the respective state authorities without any prior consultation, adequate notice, and alternative resettlement opportunities. Demolitions were also discriminatory ,causing the displacement and dispossession of Muslims, creating unbearable living conditions for the larger Muslim community and sustaining stigmatization and criminalization of Muslims. No relief or compensation has been made by the state authorities for affected parties. Victims who have initiated legal action in Indian courts are continuing their legal battles. No one worried about the effects of such collective punishment on women, children and families.
Keywords: Bulldozers, Human Rights, Muslims, Dispossession, Demolition(228 words)