BJP accuses Karnataka government of minority appeasement

In poll-bound Karnataka, a letter sent to the 22 district police heads of the state from the office of Director General & Inspector General of Police Karnataka seeking opinion on the withdrawal of cases against innocent persons from the minority communities has created a political storm in the state as the BJP has accused Karnataka's Congress government of indulging into minority appeasement.

The letter reads, "As mentioned in 2 letters sent earlier by this office, your clear opinion was sought on withdrawal of cases from the last five years i.e., 2013, 14', 15', 16', and ‘17 booked against minorities in all police stations across the state. No response or report in this regard has been received so far. Hence, you are once again reminded to file a report with documents in this regard with your clear opinion on dropping cases against minorities in communal and other cases to this office immediately.”

Soon after the letter became public, Murlidhar Rao, National General Secretary of BJP and Karnataka in-charge took to Twitter and slammed the Congress.

"Karnataka govt circular to release innocent Muslims. Now d cat has come out of d bag. Innocent is euphemism to cover up d hard-core criminal intentions to terrorize n liquidate BJP leaders n also utilize their muscle power to influence electoral outcome in favor of Congress.”

Karnataka govt circular to release innocent Muslims..
Now d cat has come out of d bag. Innocent is euphemism to cover up d had core criminal intentions to terrorize n liquidate BJP leaders n also utilize their muscle power to influence electoral outcome in favor of Congress. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/QmD8NLtK8b

— P Muralidhar Rao (@PMuralidharRao) January 26, 2018

Speaking to News Nation, Congress leader Rizwan Arshad said, “Few minority organisations had sent a representation to state government and requested to withdraw the cases against the innocent people who have been arrested during Congress rule. We have asked the police to give an opinion about those people who have not been involved in any murder or have caused injuries or arson.

“Moreover, BJP has no moral right to put questions to us since their government has withdrawn cases against 20 thousand party workers including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh.”

The first letter regarding this matter was sent on December 22, 2017, and later two reminders were sent on January 2, 2018, and January 19, 2018, but till now none of the concerned police officers has replied so far.

The Government has sought the opinion of Commissioner of Police Mangaluru and Mysuru, Superintendents of Police Kolar, Tumkuru, Ramnagar, Chikkaballapur, KGF, Hassan, Kodagu, Chamarajanagar, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Karwar, Chikmagalur, Udupi, Ballari, Kalburgi, Bidar, and Yadgir.