Bengaluru: Demanding the fulfilment of key promises made by the Congress during the 2023 Assembly elections, representatives of minority communities, Dalit groups, farmers and labour organisations staged a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Thursday, accusing the state government of failing to honour its commitments to marginalised sections.
The protest, held under the banner of ‘Voice of Minorities and Oppressed Sections of Karnataka’, brought together Muslim and Christian leaders, as well as representatives of various social and civil rights organisations.
The protesters demanded the withdrawal of the anti-conversion law and the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, both enacted during the previous BJP government, restoration of the 2B reservation category for Muslims, and stronger legal measures to curb hate speeches and crimes targeting minority communities.
Addressing the gathering, Archbishop of Bengaluru Dr Peter Machado said the anti-conversion law enacted by the previous BJP government infringed upon the religious freedom guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution. He said the Congress had promised to repeal the legislation but had yet to fulfil that commitment.
“We are not demanding anything beyond the rights guaranteed by the Constitution,” he said, emphasising that the gathering was neither a political nor a religious meeting but a collective platform for socially disadvantaged sections.
Pointing to the contribution of minority institutions in education and healthcare, Machado said these institutions served people across communities and that minorities should not be treated as second-class citizens. He also cautioned the Congress leadership that public trust in the party would depend on its willingness to honour the promises made before the elections.
Karnataka Muslim Okkoota convenor Yaseen Malpe, in his inaugural address, accused the government of showing commitment to implementing its five guarantee schemes while failing to deliver on promises made to minorities, Dalits and farmers.
He said Congress leaders should move beyond invoking the Constitution in their speeches and use the powers vested in them to protect the rights of disadvantaged communities. Warning against ignoring the demands, he said the affected groups would collectively decide on their future course of action.
The protesters also raised concerns over the impact of cattle-related restrictions on farmers, livestock traders and transport workers, and called for protection of livelihoods and citizens' right to food choices. They urged the government to take effective action against hate speech and violence targeting minorities.
The organisers said the restoration of the 2B reservation category, repeal of the anti-conversion and cattle-slaughter laws, and measures to safeguard minority rights were among the commitments made by the Congress during the election campaign. They expressed disappointment over the lack of concrete action despite the party coming to power.
The protesters urged the government to take concrete decisions on these issues during the winter session of the Karnataka Legislature scheduled to be held in Belagavi in December. They warned that failure to address the demands during the session would trigger a statewide protest campaign against the Congress government.