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The Karnataka government's decision to withdraw criminal proceedings against individuals involved in the 2022 Hubballi violence has sparked a heated political debate. The Congress government's move, which was part of a broader decision to drop various politically motivated cases, has been condemned by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a blatant act of appeasement.
The violence in Hubballi erupted after a social media post deemed offensive to religious sentiments went viral. The post, which depicted a saffron flag flying over a mosque, led to a large gathering outside a police station where the accused was being held. The situation quickly escalated into a violent mob attack, resulting in injuries to four police personnel and damage to public and private property.
The Congress government's decision to drop the case, which involved charges like rioting, attempted murder, and incitement to violence, has been met with fierce criticism from the BJP. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who represents the Hubballi-Dharwad constituency, accused the Congress of appeasing a particular community for political gains. He pointed out that the case was under investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and that the state government had no authority to withdraw it.
Former Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan echoed the BJP's criticism, stating that the Congress government's decision is deeply questionable and undermines the rule of law. He accused the Congress of playing politics with law and order, a charge that has often been leveled against the party.
In response to the criticism, the Congress has defended its decision, asserting that many of the cases it dropped were politically motivated and should never have been filed in the first place. Cabinet Minister Priyank Kharge pointed out that the review process also led to the withdrawal of cases against Kannada activists and farmer leaders, who had been facing charges for years. He further highlighted that cases filed against senior BJP leaders, including C.T. Ravi, were also dropped during the review, raising the question of why the BJP is only protesting the Hubballi case.
The Congress government's decision to drop the Hubballi violence case has undoubtedly reignited the debate on political motives behind criminal investigations and the selective application of the law. While the Congress argues that the move is about justice and dropping politically motivated cases, the BJP sees it as appeasement and vote-bank politics. The controversy highlights the deep divisions within the state's political landscape and the potential for political maneuvering to influence legal proceedings.
The case serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between maintaining law and order, protecting citizens' rights, and ensuring fair and impartial justice. It also underscores the importance of a transparent and accountable legal system that is not susceptible to political manipulation.
Source: Political firestorm over Karnataka move to drop proceedings in Hubbali violence