‘Keys Taken Back After Photoshoot’: Demolished Kogilu Families Demand Land or Houses Within 15 Days

Bengaluru, 30 April, 2026 – For 128 days, the families of Fakir Colony and Mahanayaka Ambedkar Nagar in Kogilu Layout, Yelahanka, have lived on the streets. Their homes were demolished on December 20, 2025, at around 6 AM using bulldozers and JCB machines. Officials from the Bangalore Development Authority (GBA) and a large police force were present. The residents say they received no prior notice or legal intimation.

The government promised rehabilitation but has not delivered. People have endured severe cold and are now facing scorching heat. The Kogilu Layout Slum Residents’ Struggle Committee has now given the government a 15-day deadline to provide rehabilitation. If the demand is not met, the committee will begin an indefinite protest.

‘They promised good news. They gave us nothing.’

Zaiba, who filed a public interest litigation in the Karnataka High Court, spoke to media. She said, “Today there was a hearing in the High Court, and we have been given the next hearing date on June 9, 2026. Ministers Krishnabyregowda and Zameer Ahmed Khan and the government made promises of ‘good news’ of granting houses under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation as compensation. They never fulfilled that and have betrayed us. We hope for justice from the court.”

Gowramma from the Akhila Bharatha Janavadi Mahila Sanghatane said the government demolished the homes of the poor and forced them onto the streets. She noted that the Congress government, which claims to be pro-people, had promised good news before New Year’s Day but failed due to political pressure. Her organization will stand with the community until justice is delivered. She warned that if rehabilitation is not provided within 15 days, the agitation will intensify.

‘We voted for Congress. Now we feel betrayed.’

Muni Anjinappa from the Praja Vimochana Chaluvali said the Revenue Minister, Housing Minister, and the Chief Minister had assured rehabilitation. “We have waited patiently all these days,” he said. “If rehabilitation is not provided within fifteen days, we will begin a continuous day-and-night protest. We Dalits and Muslims voted wholeheartedly for Congress thinking it was a pro-people party, but now we feel betrayed.”

Mariyappa from Bhoomi Mattu Vasathi Vanchithara Horata Samithi said the community has lived on the streets for four months after the GBA demolition. The most marginalized families are surviving without basic facilities in extreme weather. He said they cannot wait any longer and that pro-people organizations across Karnataka will support their struggle. A continuous protest will begin from May 12.

‘Keys for a photoshoot, then taken back’

Community representatives Shabana, Haseena, and Narayanamma shared their hardships over the past 128 days. They demanded housing, saying leaders had come to their homes seeking votes during elections and must now provide houses. If not, they demanded land rights at their current location so they can rebuild. Otherwise, they warned of an indefinite protest at Freedom Park.

Shabana and Khader Bi, two victims, said that about a month ago, the ministers for housing and revenue gave Hakku Patra documents to some victims. Later, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Managing Director Parashuram Shinalkar handed over flat keys to some residents, took photographs for the media, and then took back the keys, citing cleaning and pending plumbing work.

Nandini and Pooja Kaggal from Dhudiyuva Janara Vedike said the government has a constitutional responsibility to ensure dignified housing for communities that migrate to cities and contribute to building them. “Instead, the government has demolished their homes and pushed them onto the streets,” they said. “That is unjust.” They warned that if rehabilitation is not provided within 15 days, the struggle will intensify.

So far there has been no any official clarification or statement from the Government, except that the MD of RGHC Shiralkar had said that the keys were taken back for some pending repair work, his statement had come around 1 month ago and the victims continue to suffer.