Drop proposal to withdraw cases against minorities: BJP

The state BJP on Saturday described the government's attempts to withdraw cases filed against minorities in communal incidents as "anti-democratic" and against "secular norms" and sought that the proposal be dropped immediately.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP state general secretary Shobha Karandlaje termed the proposal as "unacceptable" and "dangerous". "Never before in the political history of the state has any government set such a dangerous precedent, which is grossly communal and has the potential to disturb law, order, peace and tranquillity," she said.

Shobha accused the government of practising politics of minority appeasement. She said every government in the past had withdrawn cases filed against Kannada activists and farmers and it was the prerogative of the state cabinet. "But, it was not on the basis of majority or minority. In the present case, the circular by the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) clearly states that the cases filed against minorities need to be withdrawn. This is deplorable," Shobha said.

She said the circular by the DG&IGP made it clear that the government was misusing police machinery to further its political and electoral ends.

"The attempt to project only minorities as innocent is unfortunate. This goes against the oath taken by the chief minister that he will do justice and provide equality to all sections of society without bias or discrimination," she said.

She rubbished Siddaramaiah's claim that the criticism of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah by BJP national president Amit Shah (a Gujarati) will not be tolerated by the people.