Demolition drive
What we witnessed in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri on April 20 is also due to the indifference of the media which has failed to highlight the misuse of the ‘bulldozer’ during the election campaign in Uttar Pradesh. The Election Commission of India was also silent, which paved the way for the misuse of construction equipment in election campaigns. There were media reports, in July 2020, that have highlighted the Centre asking States and Union Territories not to insist on registration and driving licence for ‘heavy road-building and rehabilitation equipment besides heavy earthmoving machinery’, with the reason that they do not fall under the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA). If earthmoving equipment does not fall under the ambit of the MVA, why were bulldozers allowed near venues of election meetings in U.P.? This does not mean they can be freely used for political purposes including the transportation of ruling party workers and supporters.
N. Nagarajan,
