The Karnataka government’s recent decision to withdraw criminal cases against individuals arrested in the 2022 Hubballi riots has sparked a political war of words, with BJP terming it Congress’s longstanding strategy of appeasement politics. The Grand Old Party, meanwhile, said the BJP has done just the same during its term and is now playing to the gallery.
However, it is no secret in the state that both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have engaged in similar practices during their tenures.
Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara defended the recent decision, referencing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who had similarly withdrawn cases against himself.
The Hubballi clashes took place after a person identified as Abhishek Hiremath allegedly offended Islamic religious sentiments by posting an image on social media depicting a saffron flag atop a mosque. This sparked outrage within the Muslim community, leading to a large protest outside the Old Hubballi Police Station. This later escalated into a riot, resulting in four police officers being injured and major damage to public property.
The withdrawal of cases against individuals involved in the Hubballi riots was based on a petition from Anjuman-e-Islam and Dalit leader DB Chalavady who claimed the accused were innocent.
Parameshwara said not all 43 cases involved minorities, emphasising that charges were also brought against “farmers, students, and ordinary people”. He added that the withdrawal process must follow legal protocols and that court approval is required before any decision is finalised. He also highlighted that the BJP had engaged in similar actions during its time in power.
However, Karnataka BJP state chief BY Vijayendra and former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai criticised the Congress government’s move as vote-bank politics, alleging that the Grand Old Party was protecting those involved in serious crimes like attempted murder and rioting.
Bommai also reminded Congress that they were the ones who withdrew cases against members of the now-banned terror outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) during the Siddaramaiah-led government (2013-2018).
The BJP, during its regime, also had its fair share of withdrawals of cases while in power. Between 2019 and 2023, the party dropped charges in 341 cases, of which many included accused arrested in cases linked to communal violence, cow vigilantism, and hate speeches. Under BS Yediyurappa’s regime, the BJP dropped cases against former MP Pratap Simha and MLA Renukacharya, as well as 206 members of Hindu groups and 106 Muslims.
According to an RTI filed by The Indian Express, the BJP, under Yediyurappa and Bommai, withdrew 341 cases through seven Government Orders (GOs) from 2019 to 2023. The RTI indicated that the BJP state government issued its first order to drop 21 cases on August 31, 2020. A second order in October 2022 dismissed 34 cases against 341 persons from 2009 to 2019, despite objections from the police and law department.
Another example of the withdrawal of cases by the BJP occurred during communal clashes in Uttara Kannada in 2020 following the death of Paresh Mesta. In February 2023, the Karnataka government withdrew cases against 112 individuals related to the riots after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) ruled Mesta’s death an accidental one. Right-wing organisations, including BJP workers, had protested, alleging murder.
Four cases against Hindu Jagran Vedike leader Jagadish Karanth were dropped in October 2022. Sri Rama Sene leader Siddalinga Swami, accused of hate speech in Kalaburgi in April 2016, had his case withdrawn in March 2023 — all while the BJP was in power.
Withdrawing criminal cases requires multiple levels of approval, including recommendations from the home minister, scrutiny by a state cabinet sub-committee, and final endorsement by the Cabinet. In 2021, the Supreme Court directed that no criminal case against MPs or MLAs can be dropped without the consent of the state’s high court.
Congress’ Parameshwara indicated that about 60 proposals were reviewed, leading to the withdrawal of 43 cases. He emphasised that “not all cases were against minorities”, stating that the government must treat all individuals equally. He also mentioned ongoing evaluations of other cases, including those related to the DJ Halli and KG Halli riots.
The DJ Halli riots of 2020 were ignited by a derogatory remark on Prophet Mohammed on social media. The case is currently with the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The government does not have the power to review terror charges in that case.
The BJP stated that the arrests in the Hubballi case or the DJ Halli case were made based on video evidence. “The gravity of the crime is very severe; they have torched police stations. If they are given any protection, it will amount to supporting terrorists,” Bommai said earlier.
In 2015, during Siddaramaiah’s first term (2013-2018), Congress dropped 175 cases against PFI, prompting backlash from the BJP.
When Congress announced the withdrawal of cases against PFI and KFD members, the BJP called it unfortunate. BJP leader and former minister CT Ravi had earlier stated, “It is unfortunate that the chief minister has disregarded the recommendation of police officers on the withdrawal of over 175 cases against PFI and KFD activists.”
Then law minister TB Jayachandra justified the withdrawal of cases against PFI and KFD activists, stating that many were involved in peaceful protests and had no role in violence. The BJP accused Siddaramaiah of trying to appease a community for their vote bank at the expense of state security. They argued that the withdrawal of cases would lead to increased moral policing and communal activities.
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