Why Justice Markandey Katju Supports the Howrah Anti-Encroachment Drive
Allegations of Illegal Land Encroachment Under the Mamata Banerjee Government
Bulldozer Action Near Howrah Station Sparks Political Debate
Suvendu Adhikari Government’s Crackdown on Encroachments in West Bengal
Justice Katju Calls for Non-Selective Action Against Illegal Occupation
Retired Supreme Court judge Justice Markandey Katju has supported the anti-encroachment drive near Howrah Station in West Bengal, alleging illegal occupation of government land during Mamata Banerjee’s rule while stressing that action should not target any particular community.
By Justice Markandey Katju
I am no supporter of the BJP, but it is alleged that under Mamata Banerjee's rule, a huge amount of government land was illegally encroached upon by her supporters and voters, e.g. at and near Howrah station in Kolkata, and the new West Bengal government of Suvendu Adhikari is removing such illegal encroachments.
I cannot understand how any right-thinking person can oppose this drive.
I support this anti-encroachment drive, since no one has a right to illegally encroach on government land, though it should not be selective against any particular community.
It seems that Mamata Banerjee's policy was that as long as one was her supporter and voter, he/she should be allowed to illegally encroach on government land, and the police was ordered to turn a Nelson's eye to such illegalities
Justice Katju is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India and a former Chairman of the Press Council of India. These are his personal views.
