Nuh Demolition Drive An Act Of "Ethnic Cleansing" By State? Questioned Punjab And Haryana High Court

While directing to halt bulldozer operations in the areas of Nuh and Gurugram on Monday (7 August), the Punjab and Haryana High Court questioned whether the state was engaged in an act of "ethnic cleansing".

The court raised concerns about whether structures belonging to a specific community were being dismantled under the pretext of maintaining law and order.

The court's order specifically referred to a remark by Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij, who likened bulldozers to a form of "treatment" as part of the government's response to the investigation of communal violence.

Quoting the famous saying by English writer and historian Lord Acton, the court emphasized that "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." This quote was included in the court's notice to the state government.

The court expressed its concern that, seemingly without proper demolition orders and notices, the excuse of law and order was being misused to justify tearing down buildings without adhering to the legally established procedures.

This assertion was backed by media reports suggesting that houses and shops were being demolished due to allegations of "anti-social activity" and unauthorized constructions.

The court instructed the Haryana government to provide an affidavit detailing the number of buildings demolished within the last two weeks in both Nuh and Gurugram. Additionally, the court sought information on whether any prior notices were issued before the demolitions took place.

Following the high court's ruling, Deputy Commissioner Dhirendra Khadgata directed concerned officials to halt the bulldozer activities. The court's intervention came a week after communal clashes in Haryana led to six fatalities, extensive property damage, and heightened anxiety in Nuh and Gurugram.

During the span of four days, more than 350 shanties and 50 cement structures were razed through the demolition process.