Ahead of Karnataka bypolls, Congress-BJP war of words over 'appeasement politics'

It has attacked the Siddaramaiah government claiming that it is engaging in ‘appeasement politics’ for a recent order withdrawing criminal cases against ‘anti-India’ elements in the mob attack on policemen in Hubballi in April 2022. This controversy comes in the midst of the announcement of the dates for the polls in three assembly seats in Karnataka - Channapatna, Shiggaon, and Sandur - on November 13.

Ironically, the saffron party, which is now up in arms against the recent decision by the Karnataka government to withdraw cases related to 2022- Hubballi riots, withdrew 341 cases between 2019 and 2023 against Hindutva ideologues. However, the BJP has taken up the issue with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and asked him to intervene and dismiss the Congress government for ‘indulging in communal politics’.

According to political observers, the BJP, which is trying its best to unseat Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is touted to be the most powerful face of the Congress in the upcoming bypolls, seems to be intent on raking up another controversy in the state.

Also read: Karnataka BJP leaders to meet President, seek Siddaramaiah govt's dismissal 

Not the first time

This is not the first time the Congress government has faced this kind of charge. During his previous tenure, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had given amnesty to 1,600 persons involved in 176 cases, many of them associated with the Popular Front of India (PFI) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), who had been accused of violating prohibitory orders. Even then, the BJP protested against the government’s move.

BJP withdrew 341 criminal cases

Congress leaders, however, pointed out that the BJP government headed by Basavaraj Bommai had also withdrawn 341 cases against Hindutva ideologues through seven government orders between 2019 and 2023.

“Nearly half of the cases had to do with crimes such as communal violence, cow vigilantism and hate speech by senior leaders, including former MP Pratap Simha,” Mysuru Congress leader N Lakshmana told The Federal.

As many as 113 members associated with groups such as Sri Rama Sene and Vishwa Hindu Parishad affiliates, Bajarang Dal and Hindu Jagarana Vedike, accounted for 16 of these cases. And the charges included crimes such as hate speech and communal rioting, said sources in the Congress.

A Congress source listed many cases over the years that had triggered communal flare-ups, and persons involved in such incidents had been let off by the BJP government.

According to the Congress source, the offences included barging into mosques and creating a ruckus; Hindu Jagaran Vedike members opposing interfaith marriages and people indulging in hate speech against Muslims.

“Cases against all these leaders and activists were withdrawn and they were allowed to go scot free,” said a senior Congress leader, who added that this is a regular practice in politics with an eye on the vote bank.

Also read: Karnataka’s money used to reward 'corruption-ridden', 'misgoverned' states: CM Siddaramaiah 

Appeasement politics

A war of words has broken out between the BJP and the Congress. While Union minister Prahlad Joshi has described the Congress government’s move as ‘appeasement politics’, home minister G Parameshwara and chief minister Siddaramaiah affirmed that “the move is in the constitutional and legal framework. Every due procedure has been followed”.

The Opposition BJP, however, launched a protest on October 14 at Freedom Park in Bengaluru.

Prahlad Joshi’s contention is that “the government is trying to withdraw cases registered under the UAPA case, when the matter is pending before the NIA court”. Joshi accused the Congress of withdrawing cases against ‘anti-social and anti-national elements’, while ignoring the cases registered against students and farmers who participated in various protests.

Congress stand

Siddaramaiah asserted the government has the power to withdraw some cases and it is done through a cabinet sub-committee headed by the home minister, which has the discretionary power to take the decision. The decision was approved by the Cabinet, pointed out Siddaramaiah.

G Parameshwara also defended the government’s stand by saying that “the government’s decision is subject to the approval of courts. The government will present its decision before respective courts and cases will be withdrawn only when the courts approve it, otherwise they will continue”.

Responding to criticism that the government has been selective in withdrawing cases, Parameshwara said, “cases against farmers, students as well as common people involved in protests on different occasions is also a part of the move”.

Referring to cases being withdrawn against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh, Parameshwara said that withdrawing criminal cases against offenders is happening in BJP-ruled states and earlier even in Karnataka as well.

However, this development has provided fodder for the Opposition BJP, at a time when the Election Commission has announced the dates to the by-polls for three important seats - Channapatna, Shiggaon and Sandur, which will be held on November 13.

It is a prestigious and crucial poll battle for both the ruling Congress and Opposition BJP and its alliance partner Janata Dal (Secular).

Social media post ignited violence

What happened in the 2022 Hubbali riots case, which is now the centre of the controversy?

On April 16, 2022, there was violence in Hubballi ‘after circulation of a derogatory image on social media showing a saffron flag atop a mosque’. The post ignited widespread anger in the Muslim community, resulting in a large-scale protest outside the old Hubballi police station. The mob then attacked policemen and injured many of them on duty and also damaged several government and private vehicles.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had written to the additional director general of police in October 2023 recommending withdrawal and reconsideration of charges related to the case.

This was done in response to a petition filed by Anjuman-I-Islam and Dalit leader D B Chalavadi.

BJP hits out

BJP leader C T Ravi, who was instrumental in withdrawing cases against many alleged offenders during the Basavaraj Bommai tenure, slammed the Congress for ‘withdrawing cases against Hubballi rioters, who attacked the police’.

Criticising the Congress government for practising ‘vote bank politics’, Leader of Opposition R Ashok, who met the governor and submitted a memorandum, urged him to intervene and direct the government to roll back its decision.

He said that “the Governor promised to seek an explanation from the Congress government on its decision to withdraw criminal cases”.