BJP to Hold Massive Protest at Freedom Park on January 5
Bengaluru: Yelahanka BJP MLA S.R. Vishwanath on Friday warned that the Karnataka government’s move to provide houses to those evicted in the Kogilu illegal settlement demolition case would be challenged in court and escalated to the Governor, calling the decision arbitrary, discriminatory, and politically motivated.
Speaking to the media, Vishwanath said the encroachments had come up illegally on BBMP-owned government land, and any move to provide subsidised housing to such occupants would deal a serious blow to the state’s housing policy.
“Today, a genuine beneficiary has to pay nearly ₹10.5 lakh to get a government house—either through a bank loan or personal savings. But in the Kogilu case, the government is proposing to give houses at barely ₹2.5 lakh, by pooling ₹5 lakh from BBMP, ₹2.5 lakh from the Minority Welfare Department and other subsidies. If this happens, no one will pay for housing schemes anymore,” Vishwanath said.
He warned that such a precedent would derail ongoing housing projects, including the One Lakh Housing Scheme, and impact nearly 45,000 houses under construction around Bengaluru. “This will embarrass the government and cause irreparable damage to the system,” he added.
‘No Special Case, No Shortcut’
Vishwanath questioned the government’s claim that houses could be allotted immediately. “There is no special category here. The law requires proof of at least five years’ residence and submission of 18 different documents. None of this can be bypassed,” he said, adding that BJP leaders are already collecting documents to mount a legal challenge.
He alleged that political pressure—triggered by statements from the Kerala Chief Minister, the Congress high command, and party in-charges—forced the Karnataka government into hurried decision-making.
“When floods happened, when earthquakes occurred, even after the IPL stampede tragedy, such emergency meetings were not held. But here, within days, the Chief Minister, Deputy CM and minority ministers rushed to the spot and announced housing,” Vishwanath said.
Allegations of Political Patronage and Rent Collection
The BJP MLA alleged that illegal houses were built in phases over the last two years with the backing of local Congress-linked minority leaders, who collected money from migrants and local residents promising housing.
“Several structures were not built for self-occupation. They were rented out, and monthly rent was being collected. This was a business, not a humanitarian issue,” he said.
He questioned why criminal cases were not registered against those who encroached government land and why electricity connections were illegally provided, demanding action against both encroachers and officials involved.
Foreign Nationals Angle Raised
Vishwanath also raised the issue of selective humanitarian concern. “Hindu, Christian and Sikh refugees from Pakistan and Bangladesh are still struggling across India. When citizenship is discussed for them, Congress and Left parties oppose it. Then why this sudden urgency for people who came from other countries?” he asked.
Calling the move minority vote appeasement, Vishwanath said Karnataka was being made a “political sacrifice” ahead of elections elsewhere.
BJP Protest on January 5
Announcing the party’s next move, Vishwanath said the BJP will hold a large-scale protest at Freedom Park on January 5.
He said BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra has constituted a five-member fact-finding committee, which has already held its first meeting. The committee will inspect the site, verify survey numbers, identify residents’ origins, and submit a report within a week.
“There are beneficiaries who paid money six years ago and are still waiting for houses. How can the government allot houses within days to illegal occupants? This is illegal and unconstitutional,” he said.
Reiterating BJP’s stand, Vishwanath concluded:
“If the government proceeds with housing allotment in haste, we will move the courts, approach the Governor, and launch statewide protests.”
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಕೋಗಿಲು ಪ್ರಕರಣ: ಮನೆ ನೀಡಿದರೆ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯದ ದಾರಿ, ರಾಜ್ಯಪಾಲರಿಗೆ ದೂರು – ಎಸ್.ಆರ್. ವಿಶ್ವನಾಥ್
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