Bengaluru, 22 May

The ruling Congress in Karnataka and the opposition BJP traded barbs on Friday after the Cabinet’s decision to withdraw cases against Muslims allegedly involved in a riot case related to the Ladle Mashak Dargah case a day earlier.

The case pertains to communal riots at Aland’s Ladle Mashak Dargah in Kalaburagi district in 2022 when some BJP workers sought to perform a purification ritual of Shivalinga inside the Dargah, alleging it was desecrated. This led to communal violence during the BJP’s tenure.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, “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 We have withdrawn cases against farmers. We have withdrawn cases against Kannada activists. We have withdrawn cases against all those who carried out protests." He maintained that it was consistent with earlier decision taken in connection with agitators.

Similarly, Home Minister G Parameshwara said the move was based on the recommendations of a Cabinet sub-committee that reviewed each case in detail.

However, BJP State president BY Vijayendra alleged that the government had crossed all limits of appeasement and was “shamelessly displaying vote-bank politics”.

“This Tughlaq-style Congress government has crossed every limit of civility," Vijayendra said on X, alleging the riots involved  desecration of a Shivalinga.

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.

He alleged the Congress had taken a soft stance towards SDPI and Muslim “goons”.