Five months after demolition, Kogilu families to launch indefinite protest in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Nearly five months after the demolition of 200 or so houses in Waseem Layout and Fakir Colony in Yelahanka’s Kogilu, residents are yet to receive relief from the authorities. As the Siddaramaiah govt prepares to mark three years in office, evicted families plan to hold an indefinite ‘day-and-night’ protest at Freedom Park starting Monday.

The Kogilu Slum Nivasigala Horata Samiti, leading the protest, said it has support from organisations working for Dalits, farmers, and workers.

Nandini K, member of Dudiyuva Janara Vedike, said repeated meetings with MLA and minister Krishna Byre Gowda have made no difference. “Even though housing minister Zameer Ahmed Khan ordered surveys and directed the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Ltd (RGHCL) to identify eligible residents for alternative housing, many residents here lack the six documents mandated by RGHCL. To get these documents, they require school leaving certificates, which many here do not possess,” she said.

Residents were asked to produce documents such as caste and income certificates, ration card, voter ID, and residence certificate.

At the site, residents have set up tents and temporary huts offering little protection from harsh weather. Kaliammal Sudha, a resident of Fakir Colony, said she has been living there for five years. “All these years, we were preoccupied with work. We had nobody to guide us on making use of free sites and houses provided to the poor. Many families we know have availed of such benefits in Hegde Nagar and other places,” she said, adding that she moved there after her family sold their house near Tannery Road. According to her, residents are now forced to relieve themselves in the open after their pit latrines were demolished.

Roshan, an autorickshaw driver, said his family now lives in a rented house opposite his demolished home. “With the hike in gas prices, earning a living and paying rent have become even more difficult,” he said.

Mohammed Fayaz, a driver now unable to work after a leg injury, said, “We are ready to leave this place if the govt gives us alternative housing. Our homes were demolished without notice.” He added that officials even prevented NGOs from distributing relief such as food.

Residents recalled leaders across party lines visiting before the elections, but said Gowda has not visited since the demolition.

Kerala CM’s post & political outrage

The demolition was carried out early on Dec 20, 2025, without notice. The district administration, along with Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML), conducted the drive with police protection. On Dec 21, hundreds protested outside Gowda’s residence near Sahakarnagar.

On Dec 26, the then Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan posted on X, calling the developments a “brutal normalisation of bulldozer raj,” drawing global attention. Former Kerala MLA KT Jaleel later visited the site. The issue became a political flashpoint between the Congress, CPI(M), and BJP.

Zameer visited the site on Dec 28 and promised action before the New Year. A three-day survey by RGHCL and Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) followed. While 12 families were allotted homes, residents claimed these were for applications submitted before the demolition. Activists said they have met Gowda three times since, without resolution.

BSWML to set up processing facility

BSWML plans to establish a solid waste processing facility on the five-acre site. The project includes a biomethanation plant, animal rendering and incineration units, and processing plants for sanitary and coconut waste. The biomethanation plant, with a capacity of 50 tonnes, is expected to generate 4–8 tonnes of biogas per 100 tonnes of organic waste, and will be operated and maintained for 15 years.

Additionally, four one-tonne animal incineration and rendering units will be set up with a five-year maintenance agreement. A domestic sanitary waste processing unit, in two packages of five-tonne and 10-tonne capacity, will also be established, with a five-year maintenance period extendable by two years, according to BSWML.