Karnataka Cabinet decides to withdraw 40 cases of rioting in Mysuru in 2009
Bengaluru: In a controversial decision, the cabinet on Monday decided to withdraw cases against members of Karnataka Forum For Dignity (KFD) and Popular Front of India (PFI), who were involved in the 2009 communal riot in Mysuru.
Law and parliamentary affairs minister T.B. Jayachandra told the media here that notwithstanding opposition from the law and home departments, the cabinet took a decision to withdraw 40 cases but not two cases of murder following clashes in Mysuru. On April 1, 2009, a religious place was desecrated at Kyathamaranahalli, Mysuru, following which violence erupted in Udayagiri and Narasimharaja.
Besides, the cabinet also decided to withdraw cases of rioting near Mysuru ring road junction, Hassan and Shivamogga in 2001. Following an article in a vernacular media, which was translation of Bangladeshi writer Ms Taslima Nasreen, police filed cases against 1400 people mainly in these three towns. The cabinet felt they were innocent and were facing trial for the last six years.
BJP goes hammer and tongs at Congress for ‘acquittal bhagya’
Hours after the cabinet decided to withdraw cases registered against members of Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) and Popular Front of India (PFI), the move was criticized by leaders of the state unit of BJP
BJP leader and former minister C.T. Ravi told the media that by withdrawing cases, the state government has granted “acquittal bhagya’ to members of both these organisations. Members of these two organizations were involved in more than 175 cases across the state, but the government has withdrawn cases against more than 1600 persons involved in communal riots.
“In spite of a dissent note given by the state police, the secular team of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah carried out their own investigation and suggested to withdraw the cases against these two organisations”, Mr. Ravi added.
Accusing the government of resorting to vote-bank politics, the BJP leader urged the state government to reconsider its decision or else the BJP would be forced to launch an awareness campaign on the cases.
