FP Exposes India’s ‘Bulldozer Justice’ as Tool of Hindutva Violence Against Minorities and Kashmiris

A new Foreign Policy report highlights the Modi regime’s use of bulldozers as tools of extrajudicial violence, particularly against Muslims and Kashmiris, further fueling Hindutva policies and deepening sectarian divides.

India’s Hindutva-driven policies continue to face global condemnation, with Foreign Policy magazine recently exposing the Modi regime’s weaponization of bulldozers as tools for extrajudicial violence against minorities, especially Muslims and Kashmiris. The renowned U.S. publication delves into how the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with its allies like Yogi Adityanath, have used bulldozer demolitions to enforce Hindutva ideology under the guise of governance, targeting Muslim and Kashmiri communities.

What was once a simple construction tool has evolved into a symbol of retributive justice in BJP-ruled states and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Properties of Muslims and Kashmiris accused of participating in protests or opposing the government are destroyed, fueling sectarian violence and displacement. This controversial practice has been condemned by global human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, which argues that the demolitions are politically motivated and violate basic human rights.

The concept of “bulldozer justice” has become central to India’s political rhetoric, appearing in rallies, media, and even popular music. The BJP has used it as a symbol of tough governance, glorifying the demolition of properties, particularly in Muslim-majority areas, including in IIOJK. In this region, where political unrest is ongoing, bulldozer demolitions have further intensified the oppression faced by Kashmiris, underlining the regime’s repressive policies aimed at eradicating the Kashmiri identity.

Despite growing international condemnation and challenges in the 2024 general elections, bulldozer politics remains a key tool for the BJP, used to secure the support of Hindu nationalist voters. The continued use of bulldozers as a tool of state violence not only deepens sectarian divides but also contributes to the ongoing human rights crisis in IIOJK. Over 2,000 incidents of communal violence were documented by the UN Human Rights Council in 2022, many of which involved the targeting of Kashmiri Muslims and their properties under the BJP’s controversial policies.

The regime’s bulldozer tactics, particularly in IIOJK, have also exacerbated the already dire situation in the region. Kashmiris continue to face displacement, forced eviction, and the destruction of their homes and livelihoods, all while living under a harsh military occupation. With over a million Indian soldiers stationed in the region, the use of bulldozers to demolish Muslim and Kashmiri homes has become a symbol of state-sanctioned repression, reinforcing the Modi government’s agenda of cultural and political subjugation.

International human rights organizations have raised alarms about the implications of these demolitions, especially in IIOJK, where the region’s disputed status remains unresolved. While the bulldozer may symbolize political control and nationalist sentiment within India, it also signals an escalating crisis for Kashmiris, who are increasingly subjected to violence, oppression, and the destruction of their cultural heritage.

Despite the mounting international pressure, the BJP continues to deploy bulldozer politics as a central part of its strategy to solidify its base among Hindu nationalists, while deepening the divide between communities. In the process, India’s democratic institutions, minority rights, and the future of regions like IIOJK hang in the balance, as bulldozers and authoritarian policies continue to reshape the country’s political landscape.