Supreme Court’s Directions Lead to Draft Submission
Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind will soon submit a draft of suggestions to the Supreme Court regarding bulldozer actions. This follows the court’s direction to set national guidelines for regulating such operations. The draft includes key recommendations based on a thorough review of the case. The organization had previously challenged the use of bulldozers on Muslim settlements, which began in Jahangirpuri, Delhi, and spread to other BJP-ruled states. This controversial practice was termed “bulldozer justice” by some media outlets. On April 26, 2022, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind filed a petition with the Supreme Court against what it called “bulldozer injustice.” The Supreme Court has since ordered a halt to these operations and maintained the status quo.
Court Orders and Future Guidelines
During the hearings, which have included 19 sessions, the Supreme Court has listened to arguments from senior lawyers Kapil Sibal, C.U. Singh, and Nitya Ramakrishnan, among others. The court had previously ordered a halt to bulldozer actions and called for the maintenance of the status quo. Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind included several parties in its petition, such as the Union of India, the Ministry of Law and Justice, and various state governments, seeking nationwide regulation.
On September 2, 2024, the Supreme Court, led by Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Vishwanathan, instructed the issuance of guidelines to prevent arbitrary bulldozer actions. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta criticized Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind for allegedly seeking to politicize the issue. Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind maintains that bulldozer actions violate existing municipal laws and target specific communities unfairly. The Supreme Court’s decision to consider national guidelines reflects the significance of the issue, with Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind preparing to submit its suggestions soon.
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