Karnataka BJP chief slams Congress over Laadle Mashak Dargah case withdrawal
Synopsis
The Karnataka BJP has escalated its attack on the Congress government after it withdrew 13 cases tied to communal violence at the Laadle Mashak Dargah in Kalaburagi — with BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra accusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of handing a 'clean chit' to anti-social elements for Muslim vote-bank politics. The Home Minister defended the Cabinet decision but refused to address specifics.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka BJP President B.Y.
Vijayendra condemned the Congress government's withdrawal of 13 cases related to communal violence at the Laadle Mashak Dargah , Kalaburagi .
The original violence allegedly involved desecration of a Raghava Chaitanya Shivling and stone-pelting attacks on vehicles of senior officials.
Vijayendra alleged Assembly Speaker U.T.
Khader reportedly recommended the case withdrawals, calling it 'a betrayal of democracy.' Home Minister G.
Parameshwara defended the Cabinet decision as thoroughly deliberated, but declined to address specific allegations.
The BJP has accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of prioritising 'vote-bank politics' over communal harmony and public safety.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Friday, 22 May launched a sharp attack on the state's Congress government over its decision to withdraw 13 cases linked to communal violence at the Laadle Mashak Dargah in Aland town, Kalaburagi district, accusing the ruling party of brazen 'appeasement politics' ahead of elections. The BJP leader called the move a threat to communal harmony and public safety across the state.
What the Violence Involved
Vijayendra alleged that the original incident at the Laadle Mashak Dargah involved the desecration of a Raghava Chaitanya Shivling and stone-pelting attacks — using what he described as deadly weapons — on the vehicles of the then Union Minister, the District Collector, and the Superintendent of Police. He characterised those accused in the cases as 'anti-social elements' responsible for a serious breach of communal peace.
'I strongly condemn the decision of this government to withdraw 13 cases linked to the horrific communal violence. What message are you giving to society by openly freeing such anti-social elements involved in disturbing peace and harmony?' Vijayendra said.
BJP's Charges Against the Congress Government
In a strongly worded statement, Vijayendra alleged that the Congress government had crossed 'all limits of appeasement' and was engaging in 'shameless minority appeasement' for electoral gains. He invoked a historical reference, calling it a 'Tughlaq-style' administration that had abandoned responsibility, morality, and dignity.
'The state is now witnessing the disgraceful display of low-level vote-bank politics and extreme minority appeasement by the Congress government,' he charged. He also questioned whether the government held any regard for Hindu religious sentiments, law and order, or public safety.
Speaker U.T. Khader Drawn Into Controversy
Vijayendra further targeted Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, alleging that Khader had reportedly recommended the withdrawal of the cases — a charge the BJP leader called 'a betrayal of democracy.' 'It is deeply unfortunate that the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, who is expected to uphold constitutional values, has reportedly recommended the withdrawal of these cases,' he stated.
Congress Government's Response
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, responding to reporters on the same day, declined to elaborate on the specifics of the case withdrawals but defended the process. 'I will not go into the details of that matter. The Cabinet has taken the decision after considering all aspects and holding discussions. It was not a sudden decision. The matter was discussed thoroughly before arriving at the conclusion,' Parameshwara said.
The minister's response stopped short of addressing the BJP's specific allegations about communal sensitivity or the Speaker's reported role. The controversy is set to intensify as the Karnataka legislature heads toward its next session, with the opposition signalling it will press the issue further.
Point of View
But the political reality is more layered. The Congress government has offered no public explanation of which legal grounds — insufficient evidence, witness protection, or reconciliation — justified each withdrawal, leaving the field open for the opposition's 'appeasement' framing to dominate. Dragging the Assembly Speaker into the controversy raises a legitimate constitutional question: the Speaker's role is to preside over the legislature, not to lobby the executive on criminal proceedings. If Khader did recommend the withdrawals, that conflation of roles deserves scrutiny regardless of party affiliation. The BJP's own record on communal-case management in Karnataka and other states it has governed is not without controversy either — a fact that mainstream coverage has largely left unaddressed.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Laadle Mashak Dargah case controversy in Karnataka?
The controversy centres on the Karnataka Congress government's decision to withdraw 13 criminal cases stemming from communal violence at the Laadle Mashak Dargah in Aland town, Kalaburagi district. The original incident allegedly involved the desecration of a Shivling and stone-pelting attacks on vehicles of senior officials, and the case withdrawals have drawn sharp criticism from the BJP.
Why is the BJP opposing the case withdrawals?
BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra has accused the Congress government of withdrawing the cases to appease minority voters ahead of elections, calling it 'vote-bank politics.' He argues the accused are anti-social elements who disturbed communal harmony and that freeing them sends a dangerous message to society.
What role is Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader accused of playing?
Vijayendra alleged that Speaker U.T. Khader reportedly recommended the withdrawal of the cases, which the BJP leader described as 'a betrayal of democracy.' Khader has not publicly responded to the allegation as of the time of reporting.
How has the Karnataka government responded to the criticism?
Home Minister G. Parameshwara defended the decision, stating the Cabinet had discussed the matter thoroughly before arriving at its conclusion and that it was not a hasty call. He declined to elaborate on the specific details of the withdrawals.
Who is B.Y. Vijayendra?
B.Y. Vijayendra is the President of the Karnataka BJP and a sitting MLA. He is the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and has been a vocal critic of the current Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
