Muslims were targeted in 128 bulldozer actions, more than 600 affected: Amnesty report

International human rights organization Amnesty International has called for an immediate stop to the widespread and illegal demolition of homes, businesses and places of worship of Muslims in India.

According to the report, the organization on Wednesday (February 7) released two reports – ‘If you speak up, your house will be demolished: Bulldozer injustice in India’ (If you speak up, your house will be demolished: Bulldozer injustice in India) And ‘Unearthing Accountability: JCB’s Role and Responsibility in Bulldozer Injustice in India’ (JCB’s role and responsibility in bulldozer injustice in India).

The report documented actions of punitive demolition of Muslim-owned properties using JCB-brand bulldozers in at least five states in India, calling it a ‘hate campaign against the minority community’.

Expressing deep concern, Agnes Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, said, ‘The illegal demolition of Muslim properties by Indian authorities, known as ‘bulldozer justice’, is cruel and appalling. Such displacement and eviction is extremely unjust, illegal and discriminatory. They are destroying families and they must stop immediately.

The organization issued a press note urging the government to ‘immediately stop the practice of demolishing people’s houses as an extrajudicial punishment and ensure that no one becomes homeless due to forced eviction.’ That all the people affected by the demolition actions be given adequate compensation.

According to Amnesty’s investigation, between April and June 2022, government officials in five states carried out demolitions as ‘punishment’ following communal violence or protests against discrimination.

Of the 128 incidents detailed in the report, there are at least 33 instances of JCB company’s bulldozers being used. It is reported that due to these actions, 617 people were affected, who either became homeless or lost their livelihood. The report said that maximum 56 bulldozer actions were taken ‘as punishment’ in BJP ruled Madhya Pradesh.

According to the report, demolitions and demolitions, often carried out under the guise of removing illegal construction, occur in violation of due process as outlined in national and international human rights law. He also noted that these acts of demolition targeted Muslim-majority areas, where Muslim-owned properties were selectively demolished and nearby Hindu-owned properties remained untouched.

Along with this, JCB bulldozers used in these operations have become a favorite brand, whose company is being called by right wing media and leaders with names like ‘Jihadi Control Board’.

Amnesty International had earlier written to JCB regarding this matter. In response, a company spokesperson said that they have no control or responsibility over how their products are used.

However, Amnesty says that in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, JCB has a responsibility to respect human rights and take appropriate action to identify, prevent and mitigate adverse human rights impacts associated with its operations.

Callamard said, ‘Under international standards, JCB is responsible for tracking what third-party buyers do with its equipment. The company should stop turning a blind eye as JCB machines are used to target and punish the Muslim community, while people climb on these bulldozers and raise anti-Muslim slogans. JCB cannot escape its responsibility when its machines are repeatedly being used to violate human rights.