Bengaluru: A delegation from the Karnataka Muslim Muttahida Mahaz (KMMM) met with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara recently, voicing serious concerns over persistent communal polarisation, prolonged imprisonment of innocent Muslim youth, and the state government’s slow response to fulfilling electoral promises.
The Mahaz reminded the ministers that the Congress party’s 2023 victory was made possible by the unity and determination of Dalits, Adivasis, farmers, minorities, and backward communities. “Our campaign was against hatred, exploitation, and the erosion of constitutional rights. But two years later, the same fears persist,” the delegation stated.
During the meeting with Home Minister Dr. Parameshwara, the delegation pointedly raised the issue of growing communal hatred and the deteriorating sense of public safety – especially in the wake of the recent killing of Abdul Rahman in a village near Mangaluru. They emphasised the urgent need to safeguard ordinary citizens and uphold communal harmony across the state.
The Home Minister informed the delegation that the government had already created a special task force to monitor communal tensions, and preparations such as uniforms and deployment logistics were underway. The delegation welcomed this step but underscored that the effectiveness of such a task force would depend significantly on its ideological orientation. They urged the government to ensure that the new task force, alongside regular police units, includes personnel with a proven commitment to secular and constitutional values. “A mere structural addition is not enough – what’s needed is moral and ideological clarity,” they said.
They also submitted a memorandum demanding immediate review and release of Muslim youth who have languished in jails for years without conviction. “Innocent young men have been imprisoned for extended periods with no progress in legal proceedings – this is unacceptable in a democracy,” the delegation stressed. They called for strict action against individuals and organisations responsible for spreading fake news and inciting communal violence.
At a separate meeting with Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, the Mahaz highlighted the misuse of anti-cow slaughter laws to harass Muslims and demanded accountability for those using the law as a pretext for violence, extortion, or hate. With Eid al-Adha approaching, the delegation insisted that the government and police take proactive steps to ensure peace and prevent any form of targeted disruption.
The delegation cited communal unrest in Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Mysuru, Channagiri, Nagamangala, and Mangaluru, stating that despite Congress being in power, right-wing elements continued to foment unrest with impunity. “What good is a secular mandate if the old forces of hate are still allowed to thrive?” they asked.
They also questioned the silence of local legislators and the gap between pre-election promises and real governance. “With 136 MLAs in the Assembly, what is stopping the Congress from delivering on its commitments? If Muslim issues remain unresolved, the loss of public confidence in secular governance will be inevitable,” they warned. The Mahaz made it clear that if communal forces regain ground in the future, the Congress will bear moral and political responsibility.
Both ministers assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to peace, justice, and secular governance.
The delegation included Mr. Masood Abdul Qadir (Convener), Mr. Mohammad Yousuf Kinni (Jamaat-e-Islami Hind), Mr. Tanveer Ahmed Sharif (Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind), Mr. Mansoor Ahmad Qureshi (Jamiat Ahle Hadith), Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Bukhari, Mr. Ejaz Ahmad (Joint Secretaries), Mr. Mohibullah Amin (Jamiat Ulama Karnataka), Mr. Allah Baksh Adalamari (Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat), Mr. Tafheemullah Ma’ruf, Mr. Shafiq Ahmad, Dr. Naseem Ahmad (President, Solidarity Karnataka), Mr. Johar Kashif (SIO Karnataka), Mr. Mohammad Talha Siddi Bapa, Mr. Ziaullah Khan, and Maulana Zainul Abedin Rashadi.
