Karnataka Congress Govt withdraws cases against all Muslim accused in the Aland Ladle Mashak Dargah riots

Muslims had urinated on the Shivalinga

Kalaburagi (Karnataka) – The Congress government in Karnataka has decided to withdraw the criminal cases related to the famous Ladle Mashak Dargah riots in Aland town of Kalaburagi District.

The decision was taken on a written request from Assembly Speaker U T Khader and will benefit Muslim youth and some prominent leaders involved in the riots.

Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara supports the decision

When asked about the withdrawal of the cases, Karnataka’s Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara said that he would not give detailed information. The decision to release the accused has been taken within the legal framework after discussing everything in the cabinet. The decision has not been taken abrubtly.

What is the matter?

During Mahashivratri in 2022, a major conflict arose between the followers of two religions over the worship of the Raghav Chaitanya Shivalinga located in the Ladle Mashak Dargah area of Aland city. The situation got out of control when allegations surfaced that some Muslims desecrated the holy Shivalinga by urinating on it. As soon as the information came to light that the Shivalinga had been desecrated, the then Union Minister Bhagwanth Khuba, heads of Hindu organisations and public representatives came forward to clean the place and perform Puja. At that time, an angry mob pelted stones at the vehicles of the then District Collector and Superintendent of Police, who had rushed to the spot to maintain law and order. Public property was damaged by vandalising vehicles with sticks and displaying deadly weapons.

At that time, the Police had registered a total of 13 serious criminal cases against various Muslim leaders and youths in connection with this deadly attack and the violent incidents that ensued. Now, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government has withdrawn all these 13 cases.

BJP opposes

‘The State government is targeting Hindu activists on one hand and registering false cases against them, while the Police are harassing them. On the other hand, criminal cases against Muslims are being withdrawn. By withdrawing some serious cases including arson, property damage etc., the government has sent a bad message that they are on the side of criminals’, BJP MLA C T Ravi alleged.