Bulldozer Justice: Land Grabbing and Militarization Threaten Kashmiri Rights Under BJP Rule

In the wake of the controversial 2019 abrogation of Article 370, Kashmiris in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have witnessed escalating military occupation and land grabs, severely infringing upon their fundamental rights to property and shelter. The Indian government’s latest moves signal a deepening crisis, as millions of acres of land, including agricultural and forest areas, are being unlawfully occupied by the Indian Army and paramilitary forces, under the pretext of “strategic” use.

Since the legal changes initiated by the BJP-led government, the Indian Army now holds sweeping powers to seize land in the region, justifying their actions as necessary for national security. Under the Jammu and Kashmir Development Act, the armed forces can seize any land deemed strategic without proper due process or compensation, displacing local residents and leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. In an alarming development, over 178,000 Kanal of land was seized between 2020 and 2022, displacing hundreds of families and severely disrupting the local economy.

The situation has worsened with the government’s controversial electoral policies, aimed at altering the region’s demographic makeup. By extending voter rights to non-locals—particularly non-Muslims—the government has added millions of new voters, potentially shifting political dynamics in favor of the BJP. Areas with significant Muslim populations have been re-delineated to reduce their representation, fueling further unrest.

Another tactic of control has been the use of “bulldozer justice,” a term for state-sponsored demolitions. Properties deemed “illegal” are destroyed without adequate notice or documentation, often affecting the livelihoods of Kashmiris. Recent reports indicate that over 50 Muslim homes were destroyed, and thousands more are at risk. This method is viewed by many as an effort to weaken local resistance and solidify control over the region’s resources.

The Modi government’s agenda has also included allotting large tracts of land to non-Kashmiri Hindu settlers and foreign investors, while local Kashmiris are left with dwindling prospects. Moreover, plans to establish housing colonies for retired army personnel further signify the militarization of the region, mirroring Israeli settler practices in Palestine.

Human rights organizations, including the UNHRC and Amnesty International, have condemned these actions, but India remains defiant, continuing to exploit Kashmir’s resources and undermine its people’s rights. These actions are widely seen as an attempt to erode the distinct Kashmiri Muslim identity and replace it with a uniform Hindu nationalist agenda, with little regard for international norms or the region’s history.