Pralhad Joshi Slams Karnataka Case Dismissals

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi criticized the Karnataka government on Monday for dropping criminal charges against specific demonstrators. He alleged that the state administration is using the protection of pro-Kannada activists as a front to shield individuals involved in communal violence for political gain.

Bengaluru: Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Monday alleged that the Karnataka government was attempting to appease communal rioters under the guise of withdrawing cases against pro-Kannada activists.

Reacting to the state Cabinet’s decision to withdraw 52 criminal cases related to protests and agitations, Joshi claimed that the move was aimed more at benefiting “communal offenders” than protecting Kannada activists.

“The Congress government is sacrificing the Constitution and the rule of law for vote-bank politics. Instead of standing with law-abiding citizens and police personnel, it has chosen to shield those involved in communal violence,” he said.

Joshi alleged that the government had withdrawn criminal cases against more than 100 accused in the Aland communal riots in Kalaburagi district. He also referred to the withdrawal of cases linked to the Hubballi riots, describing it as a dangerous precedent.

According to him, the accused in the Aland violence had allegedly attacked police personnel and created communal unrest. “A DSP and a constable had suffered serious injuries during the violence. Despite such incidents, the government has chosen to withdraw the cases,” he said.

The Union Minister accused the Congress government of pursuing appeasement politics and claimed that the decision sends a wrong message to society. “It appears as though the government is honouring rioters instead of punishing them,” he remarked.

Joshi further alleged that the government had clubbed cases against farmers and Kannada activists with riot-related cases to mislead the public. Questioning the state’s commitment to law and order, he asked whether protecting rioters had become more important than ensuring justice for police personnel and ordinary citizens.

Future Outlook

The political friction over the withdrawal of these 52 cases is expected to intensify in the state assembly. Legal experts suggest that dropping cases involving assaults on police personnel could face challenges in court, potentially forcing the state government to defend its executive decisions under judicial scrutiny in the coming months.

FAQs

Why is Pralhad Joshi criticizing the Karnataka government?

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi claims the state government is using the dismissal of cases against Kannada activists as a cover to pardon individuals involved in communal riots, which he argues undermines the rule of law.

How many criminal cases did the Karnataka Cabinet decide to withdraw?

The state Cabinet decided to withdraw a total of 52 criminal cases tied to various public protests, agitations, and demonstrations.

Which specific riot cases were highlighted by the Union Minister?

Joshi specifically highlighted the withdrawal of cases related to the Aland communal violence in Kalaburagi, where more than 100 people were accused, as well as past agitation cases in Hubballi.

What happened to the police during the Aland violence?

During the Aland communal unrest, rioters allegedly targeted law enforcement, resulting in serious injuries to a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and a police constable.