The Congress government in Karnataka has come under fire for withdrawing the Old Hubballi police station riot case, a move that BJP’s IT cell convener Amit Malviya has slammed as a blatant example of appeasement politics. The 2022 Hubballi riot, which saw a large mob of Muslims attack the police station and nearby buildings, stemmed from a social media post by a Hindu individual that was deemed offensive to Islamic religious sentiments.
Malviya alleges that the case was dropped despite opposition from both the Law and Police departments, highlighting the Congress’s alleged willingness to appease Muslim voters. He pointed out that several police officers suffered injuries during the riot, which involved stone-pelting and attacks on the police station, a Hanuman temple, and a hospital.
The decision to withdraw the case was reportedly made after Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar wrote to the government requesting its dismissal. This request was forwarded to the state’s home department, which ultimately granted approval.
The AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) leaders, including Mohammed Arif, were accused of orchestrating the mob attack. The incident involved a violent mob storming the Old Hubballi police station, pelting stones, and causing injuries to police personnel. The mob also targeted a nearby Hanuman temple and a hospital, resulting in significant damage to both structures.
This controversy comes almost a year after the riot, which saw a significant escalation of communal tensions in Hubballi. Malviya’s accusations of appeasement politics have added fuel to the fire, further polarizing the political landscape in Karnataka. The BJP continues to criticize the Congress’s decision, emphasizing the need for justice for the victims of the riot and the injured police officers.
