Bengaluru, Jun 5 (DHNS): Home Minister K J George on Thursday defended the Cabinet decision to withdraw cases against some members of Popular Front of India (PFI) and Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD), stating it was done on the recommendation of a Cabinet committee after thorough scrutiny.

The Cabinet this week had given its nod to withdraw 40 cases, including some against members of PFI and KFD, booked for inciting communal violence in Mysuru in 2009. It also decided to withdraw 14 cases registered in 2010 in Shivamogga and 21 in Hassan, pertaining to riots caused due to the publication of a translated article of Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, George said that the sub-committee had done a case-by-case study and felt that in most of the cases there was lack of evidence to press charges. Besides, the cases were not confined to any particular community as made out by the BJP. George said no IPS officer other than suspended officer Alok Kumar had been named in the CID report on illegal lottery business.

BJP tirade continues

The State BJP, however, continued its attack against the Cabinet decision and sought the dismissal of George from the ministry.

The decision amounts to an act of treason, BJP State President Pralhad Joshi told reporters on Thursday.

He accused PFI and KFD of being involved in terrorist activities and challenged the government to disprove his charges.

He accused the government of indulging in vote-bank politics. Joshi said the party’s yuva morcha would oppose the decision tooth and nail and would hold protests across the State.

Govt abetting terrorism, says Muthalik

The State government is abetting terrorism by withdrawing criminal cases against the activists of Karnataka Forum for Dignity and Popular Front of India, who were directly involved in riots in Shivamogga, Hassan and Mysuru, said Shri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Muthalik said Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had submitted a report to the Central government stating that PFI should be banned as it was directly linked with the Students Islamic Movement of India and al-Qaeda.

“Chandy had submitted an affidavit in the high court stating that the organisation had joined hands with these traitor outfits. Yet, to appease Muslims, the Karnataka government has withdrawn the cases,” he said.

Muthalik said protests would be held with the support of the public in case the State government did not take action on the issue.