A political storm erupted in Karnataka on Friday as the Congress government decided to withdraw 52 criminal cases, including seven linked to the 2022 communal riots in Aland taluk of Kalaburagi district. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the ruling party of minority appeasement, while the Congress defended the move, stating that the cases were politically motivated and withdrawn after thorough legal scrutiny.
Background of the Aland riots
On March 1, 2022, a group of BJP workers attempted to perform a purification ritual of a Shivalinga idol inside the Hazrat Ladle Mashak Dargah in Aland, claiming it had been desecrated. This led to communal violence, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders in the area. Several police personnel, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), were injured during the clashes. A total of 13 cases were registered in connection with the riots, of which seven have now been withdrawn.
Congress defends the decision
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended the government's action, pointing out that cases against Kannada activists, farmers, and other protesters had also been withdrawn after seeking legal advice. "Politically motivated cases have been withdrawn. There is nothing wrong in this," Shivakumar said, rejecting the BJP's allegations of minority appeasement.
Home Minister G Parameshwara explained that the matter was referred to a cabinet sub-committee, which examined each case before recommending withdrawal. "The sub-committee concluded there was legal scope for withdrawal of cases. The decision was not taken on the spur of the moment. It was made after detailed discussion and consideration," he said, while declining to comment specifically on the Aland case.
BJP's strong reaction
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the Congress government of protecting rioters for vote-bank politics. "Cases against more than 100 accused involved in communal riots have been withdrawn. By mixing these cases with those filed against farmers and Kannada activists, the government is misleading the public," he alleged.
Joshi further questioned, "Has appeasement of rioters become more important to the Congress than protecting law-abiding citizens? If even policemen on duty are not protected, what will happen to law and order in the state? By sacrificing the Constitution and the country's laws for appeasement politics, the Congress is posing a serious danger to the nation."
BJP state president BY Vijayendra wondered what message the government was sending to society by "openly freeing" anti-social elements accused of disturbing communal harmony. BJP MLA Sunil Kumar questioned the withdrawal of cases allegedly linked to SDPI activists and demanded clarification on whether local police authorities had approved the move.
