Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 8: Pressure is mounting on the Congress government in Karnataka to withdraw two contentious laws enacted during the BJP regime, with minority community organisations joining hands to demand that the legislation be scrapped before the December winter session of the state legislature.

The two laws under the spotlight are the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, commonly known as the cow slaughter ban law, and the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022, popularly referred to as the anti-conversion law.

Minority groups are pressing the government to repeal both laws immediately, pointing to the assurances given by the Congress ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections.

Soon after Siddaramaiah returned as chief minister for a second term in 2023, the government had initiated the process of withdrawing or amending the two laws. However, it subsequently stepped back following strong opposition from seers and heads of several prominent Hindu mutts in the state.

Reservation hike, uncertainty over hate speech law

The minority groups have also placed a series of other demands before the government.

One of the major demands is an increase in the existing 4% reservation provided to Muslims under the 2B category to 8%, in proportion to their population. Christian groups are seeking a separate 1% reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list.

The future of the Karnataka Prevention of Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Bill, 2025, is another issue on which the groups want clarity. The Bill was passed by both houses of the state legislature and sent by the Governor to the President. The union home ministry subsequently put the legislation on hold, maintaining that provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) were sufficient.

The communities are now seeking clarity on what lies ahead for the proposed legislation.

'We have waited three years': Minorities question BJP-Congress difference

Community leaders have already held separate meetings with ministers and Congress high-command leaders. They are now working on a joint strategy ahead of the December winter session in Belagavi.

Shabir Ahmed, a core committee member of the Karnataka Rajya Muslim Okkoota (KRMO), said, "We have been patiently waiting for three years, hoping that the government would take action. Dissatisfaction within the community has increased due to the government's inaction. If the same laws are continued, what is the difference between the BJP and Congress governments? Muslims suffered during BJP rule, and attacks on Christians are still continuing. The December session is the final opportunity to withdraw these laws."

In May, when the KRMO threatened to organise a convention, the government, as a damage-control measure, withdrew the ban on hijab for Muslim girl students in educational institutions.

Joint statewide protest planned in November

G A Kantharaj, spokesperson for the Bengaluru Archdiocese, said minority communities were increasingly coming together across Karnataka.

"Both communities are coming together on a large scale across the state. A strategy has been planned to create awareness and take our demands to their logical conclusion. Preparations are under way for a major joint protest in November, along with agitations at all district headquarters," he said.

Government yet to take final call

A minister said the Congress securing a clear majority in the Legislative Council recently had made the path easier for amending the laws. However, the government is still examining the legislation in detail and has not taken a final decision.

Health, Minority Welfare and Haj minister U T Khader acknowledged that there was a strong demand for repealing the laws.

"It is true that there is a strong demand for the laws to be repealed. The government led by chief minister D K Shivakumar is new. The government is aware of the issue and is thinking positively," he said.

Another minister, however, said, "There is no pressure on us. The Law Department will take an appropriate decision."

With the December session approaching and minority organisations preparing for statewide mobilisation, pressure on the government is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.