Bulldozers have evolved from mere construction machinery into potent symbols of political power and extrajudicial force -- a transformation evident in both India and Bangladesh.
In India, bulldozer justice has become notorious as a tool used by state authorities to raze homes and businesses -- often belonging to marginalized or minority communities -- without the due process of law.
Across the border in Bangladesh, the recent “bulldozer march” has seen protesters brandish these machines as instruments to erase symbols of authoritarianism, targeting historic sites tied to the nation’s founding legacy.
The Indian Supreme Court recently denounced these arbitrary demolitions -- popularly termed "bulldozer justice" -- laying out strict guidelines to ensure that any demolition must follow established legal procedures, including the issuance of a show-cause notice and a mandatory waiting period before any property is razed.
Critics argue that these demolitions are not just punitive measures but political instruments, disproportionately affecting poor and minority communities while undermining the fundamental principles of due process and justice.
In Bangladesh, the bulldozer has taken on a different yet equally incendiary symbolism. Recent protests in Dhaka culminated in a "bulldozer march" aimed at demolishing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic residence -- a building that stands as a symbol of the country’s liberation and national identity.
The demolition of Bangabandhu’s residence represents far more than mere vandalism; it is a chilling symptom of a broader malaise. This assault on a sacred emblem of independence, coupled with similar attacks on public properties nationwide, reveals a dangerous pattern of historical erasure and ideological enforcement.
The attackers, emboldened by an online speech from former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, branded the structure a symbol of "authoritarianism and fascism." In their twisted logic, they believed that by demolishing the edifice -- once a beacon of Mujibism -- they could eradicate an ideology.
Yet, like dandelion seeds released by a storm, the fragments scattered across the land, planting the ideals of Mujibism far and wide. In trying to bury an idea, they unwittingly sowed it into the very fabric of the nation.
This premeditated act of vandalism was not an isolated incident. Over the hours during which the residence was systematically dismantled -- brick by brick -- there was a conspicuous absence of law enforcement.
No police intervention, no administrative oversight; just an unbridled surge of mob violence. The government's inaction is not a benign oversight but a tacit endorsement of lawlessness.
This assault on public property is part of a wider trend sweeping across Bangladesh.
In Khulna, the homes of prominent Awami League figures, including cousins of Sheikh Hasina, were demolished. In Kushtia, the residences of former lawmakers and party leaders were ransacked, while in Chittagong, protesters defaced murals and removed nameplates from university buildings.
By failing to protect these properties, the state not only condones the destruction of public assets but also inadvertently sows the seeds of fascism.
Such acts of vandalism extend beyond mere property damage; they are deliberate attempts to erase the tangible symbols of a nation’s struggle for independence and the pluralistic values it upholds.
Fascism thrives on division, suppression, and the rewriting of history. By targeting monuments of national pride and cultural diversity, the perpetrators aim to silence dissent and enforce a homogenized narrative.
The recent rampage against historic landmarks is not spontaneous; it is a strategic move to dismantle the pillars of democracy.
When a government turns a blind eye -- often bolstered by international supporters and alliances -- it not only undermines the rule of law but also accelerates the descent into authoritarianism.
The peril posed by such unchecked mob violence cannot be overstated. The demolition of Bangabandhu’s residence is a stark reminder of the threats facing Bangladesh today -- a nation at a crossroads, where history, memory, and identity are under siege.
This assault on a symbol of liberation must galvanize all citizens to stand united against the forces that seek to rewrite history through violence and indifference.
It is not merely an attack on a building but an affront to the soul of a nation.
Anando Mostofa is the Deputy News Editor (DNE) at the Dhaka Tribune.
