Cong, BJP trade barbs over withdrawing cases against Ladle Mashak case rioters

The ruling Congress in Karnataka and opposition BJP on Friday traded barbs over the Cabinet decision to withdraw cases against Muslims allegedly involved in a riots case related to Ladle Mashak Dargah case.

The Congress has stated that it was a ''politically filed'' case, while the BJP accused the government of indulging in ''appeasement politics.''.

The state Cabinet on Thursday decided to withdraw cases linked to communal riots at Aland's Ladle Mashak Dargah in Kalaburagi district, prompting sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who alleged the move amounted to appeasement of minority groups at the cost of law and order.

The case date backs to March 1, 2022, when some BJP workers wanted to perform a purification ritual of Shivalinga inside the Dargah, alleging that it was desecrated. The issue led to communal violence, leading to prohibitory orders clamped in the area.

Defending the government's decision, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said, ''It's not a major thing. Those cases were filed against them (Muslims) politically. We have withdrawn cases against farmers. We have withdrawn cases against Kannada activists. We have withdrawn cases against all those who carried out protests. There is nothing wrong in it.''.

Speaking to reporters, he maintained that the withdrawal of cases was consistent with earlier decisions taken in connection with agitations and protests involving different groups and denied allegations that the move was aimed at appeasing any particular community.

State Home Minister G Parameshwara also defended the Cabinet's decision to withdraw criminal cases registered against various organisations, saying the move was based on the recommendations of a Cabinet sub-committee that reviewed each case in detail.

When reporters asked about the grounds on which the cases linked to the Ladle Mashak Dargah related violence were withdrawn, the minister said, ''I don't want to speak in detail. The Cabinet has decided to withdraw the cases.''.

When pointed to the attack on police during that incident, he said, ''The decision was made after considering all those facts; it was not made all of a sudden.''.

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra alleged that the government had crossed all limits of appeasement.

''The state is now witnessing the shameless display of vote-bank politics and the extreme level of minority appeasement by this disgraceful Indian National Congress government. Without even minimum responsibility, and throwing morality, dignity, and decency to the winds, this Tughlaq-style Congress government has crossed every limit of civility,'' Vijayendra said in a post on 'X'.

He said he strongly condemned the withdrawal of cases related to the communal riots at the Dargah in Kalaburagi, alleging that the incidents involved desecration of a Shivalinga and attacks on the vehicles of the then union minister, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police.

''Chief Minister, what message are you sending to society by openly freeing such anti-social criminals who disturbed communal harmony through such grave offences,'' Vijayendra asked.

He further alleged that Assembly Speaker U T Khader had recommended withdrawal of the cases, calling it a betrayal of democracy.

BJP MLA and former minister V Sunil Kumar also attacked the government, saying withdrawal of cases in the Ladle Mashak issue could not be equated with withdrawal of cases against farmers or Kannada activists.

''What is the justification for withdrawing the cases against SDPI and Muslim goons even before a year has passed, when they had allegedly prepared in advance to create riots, actually created disturbances, and have been carrying out such activities for several years in the name of an organisation,'' he asked.

Alleging that the Congress government had adopted a ''soft stance'' towards SDPI, PFI and Naxal groups, Kumar told reporters that the government was indulging in excessive appeasement to retain its Muslim vote bank.

''Appeasement politics has its limits. We are witnessing a complete breakdown of law and order in the state,'' he added.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)