BENGALURU: A war of words has erupted between Congress and BJP over the cabinet’s decision to withdraw 52 criminal cases registered in various police stations, including those related to the 2022 communal violence at Ladle Mushtaq Dargah in Aland of Kalaburagi district that erupted after allegations surfaced that a Shivling was desecrated.
While BJP leaders accused Congress of indulging in appeasement politics, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara defended the cabinet decision to withdraw the cases.
BJP state president BY Vijayendra said it is unfortunate that the State Government has decided to withdraw the cases against those who disturbed harmony in society. “By releasing anti-social elements, what message does the government want to give to society,” he asked, questioning whether the Congress government had any respect for Hinduism and law and order.
“The Congress government has hurt the sentiments of the majority, and people will not forgive,” he said.
Vijayendra said that the one who should uphold the Constitution, Speaker UT Khader, is said to have urged the government to withdraw cases which is against the statute.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that in the name of withdrawing cases against farmers and Kannada activists, the Congress government has also included anti-social elements. “Instead of protecting the law, the government is trying to woo a certain community for their appeasement politics,” Joshi said.
Taking to X, Karnataka BJP said the Congress government has hit a new low by shielding criminals for its clumsy vote-bank politics by withdrawing cases against those who desecrated the Shivling.
“Even the DC and the SP had come under attack from these dreaded rioters! Shameful that Karnataka Government doesn’t carry any iota of shame in suppressing the rule of law and going against the Constitution,” the party said.
Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, defending the government’s move, said for the last many years, Kannada organisations and farmers’ organisations had been giving representations on cases against them for several years now.
“The government referred it to a cabinet sub-committee, after discussing each case individually, the sub-committee felt these cases could be legally withdrawn,” the minister added.
Asked about the decision to withdraw cases against Muslims, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that politically motivated cases have been withdrawn. “Along with that, cases against farmers and Kannada activists have also been withdrawn... There is nothing wrong in this,” he said.
BJP using ‘Muslim’, ‘Pak’ as political stunt: Satish
BELAGAVI: Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing its leaders of repeatedly using the words ‘Muslim’ and ‘Pakistan’ as political tools to divert public attention from pressing issues faced by various communities.
He said the government is currently dealing with nearly 50 to 60 major cases concerning Muslims, farmers, Kannada activists and several other sections of society.
BJP leaders, however, he alleged, only know how to invoke ‘Muslim’ and ‘Pakistan’ to emotionally influence people. “They are under the illusion that merely mentioning these words will attract public attention. This is nothing but a political stunt by the BJP,” he remarked.
