Cong, BJP clash over withdrawal of communal riots case

Bengaluru: A war of words broke out between Congress and BJP Friday, a day after the state govt decided to withdraw criminal cases linked to the 2022 communal riots in Aland of Kalaburagi district. A total of 52 cases, including seven linked to the Aland riots, have been withdrawn.While BJP alleged minority appeasement, Congress defended the move, saying politically motivated cases had been withdrawn after due diligence and legal scrutiny.On March 1, 2022, some BJP workers wanted to perform a purification ritual of Shivalinga idol inside at Hazrat Ladle Mashak Dargah in Aland taluk, alleging it had been desecrated. The issue led to communal violence, leading to prohibitory orders in the area. Several police personnel, including a DSP, were injured in the riots.In all, 13 cases were filed in connection with the 2022 riots. Of them, seven have been withdrawn.Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar defended the govt's decision, stating cases filed against Kannada activists, farmers and other protestors had also been similarly withdrawn after seeking legal opinion."Politically motivated cases have been withdrawn. Nothing wrong in this," Shivakumar said, rejecting BJP's allegations of minority appeasement.Home minister G Parameshwara said the govt had referred the issue 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.Union minister Pralhad Joshi accused Cong govt 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 "Cases against more than 100 accused involved in communal riots have been withdrawn.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 govt is misleading the public," he alleged."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," he said.BJP state president BY Vijayendra wondered what message was the govt sending to society by "openly freeing" such anti-social elements accused of disturbing communal harmony.BJP MLA Sunil Kumar questioned withdrawal of cases allegedly linked to SDPI activists and demanded clarification whether local police authorities had approved the move.