In the wake of the Karnataka government's demolition drive in Bengaluru, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has voiced his support for the action, emphasizing that legal procedures were adhered to and alternative arrangements were promised to affected residents. The demolition drive, which created a stir within the Congress party, involved the eviction of several families from Kogila Layout near Yelahanka on December 20.

Tharoor stated that the land in question belonged to the government and was being occupied illegally. Furthermore, he highlighted that the area was a garbage dump, with toxic waste contaminating the water, rendering it unfit for habitation. He also noted that residents had been informed prior to the demolition.

"First, the land belonged to the government, and people were living there illegally. Second, it was a garbage dump and toxic waste had contaminated the water, so it was not a fit place for people to live," Tharoor told reporters.

Tharoor said he saw no justification in politicizing the issue based solely on the affected individuals being poor. He acknowledged the government's commitment to providing temporary accommodation and its promise of permanent housing within five to six months.

Tharoor urged against unnecessarily provoking the issue, given that a solution was in progress. "There may be flaws in the shifting process and there can be differences of opinion on how it was done. But a promise has been given to find a solution," he stated. He stressed that all actions must be carried out legally and that the Karnataka government acted in accordance with court directives, issuing notices, sometimes multiple times, before the demolitions. Tharoor also added that he had not visited Karnataka and thus could not give a definitive opinion.

The demolition sparked controversy after the eviction of families from Kogila Layout on December 20, drawing criticism from within the Congress party and elsewhere. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the drive, likening it to "bulldozer raj". Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended the action as unavoidable due to safety concerns, clarifying that the shelters were illegally erected at a waste-disposal site unsuitable for human habitation.

Shashi Tharoor's remarks come amidst a political debate over the demolitions in Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout, where Muslim families had resided for many years. Vijayan's criticism prompted a response from Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who asked the Kerala CM not to interfere without full knowledge of the facts.