The Karnataka government’s decision to withdraw several criminal cases connected to the 2022 communal unrest near the Ladle Mashak Dargah in Kalaburagi district has triggered a fresh political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP.
The controversy erupted after the state Cabinet approved the withdrawal of cases against more than 160 accused persons linked to clashes that took place in Aland town during tensions surrounding religious events near the historic shrine.
Among those granted relief are several individuals who had been booked in connection with violence, stone-pelting and disturbances reported during the communal flare-up in March 2022.
Cabinet Clears Withdrawal of Multiple FIRs
The state government announced that it had decided to withdraw 52 FIRs registered across Karnataka in relation to protests, demonstrations and law-and-order incidents from previous years.
Six of those FIRs were connected to the Aland communal tension case.
State Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the move was taken after legal consultation and recommendations made by a Cabinet sub-committee.
According to the minister, the government reviewed each matter individually before approving the withdrawal process.
He stated that similar cases involving farmers, Kannada activists and protest-related incidents had also been reconsidered by the government.
BJP Targets Congress Government
The opposition BJP strongly criticised the decision and accused the Congress government of pursuing “vote-bank politics” by withdrawing cases linked to serious law-and-order disturbances.
Party leaders questioned the decision to drop cases despite reports that police personnel had suffered injuries during the violence.
The BJP also alleged that the ruling party was attempting to send a political message to minority communities following recent electoral setbacks and local political tensions.
Background of the 2022 Violence
The communal unrest had erupted near the centuries-old Ladle Mashak Dargah in Aland during the period leading up to Maha Shivaratri in 2022.
The dispute centred around a stone structure located within the shrine premises, which some local groups referred to as a Shivalinga, while the dargah has long been associated with Sufi saint Shaikh Allauddin Ansari.
Tensions escalated after members of the Sri Ram Sene announced plans to conduct a purification ritual at the site, while members of the Muslim community organised a religious procession on the same day.
Authorities had imposed prohibitory orders and restricted the entry of Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik into the area to prevent escalation.
Stone-Pelting and Police Action
Despite security arrangements, clashes broke out after large groups gathered near the dargah premises. Police said stones were allegedly hurled at security personnel during the confrontation, leaving several officers injured.
Following the violence, police arrested more than 160 individuals, including women, and registered multiple criminal cases.
The issue had remained politically sensitive in Karnataka, with both religious and political groups repeatedly raising the matter over the past few years.
The government’s latest decision is expected to intensify political debate ahead of future elections, particularly over the handling of communal incidents and withdrawal of criminal cases linked to public unrest.
