Ulema-e-Karnataka criticises Congress action against minority leaders after South Davangere bypoll

Bengaluru

Members of Ulema-e-Karnataka, a statewide body of religious scholars, on Thursday expressed deep disapproval over the Congress party’s recent decisions to remove Muslim leaders, including MLC Abdul Jabbar and Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Naseer Ahmed, as well as its decision not to field a leader from the Muslim community in the South Davangere byelection. Stating that the party acted with little deliberation, Maulana Iftiqar Qasmi said, “If any leader from the party has acted against it, the party’s principles require discussion, an opportunity to prove innocence, and due process. But the party has directly acted against them.”

He compared the action against these leaders with that of the late Shamanur Shivashankarappa, who had publicly praised B.Y. Vijayendra of the BJP, noting that no action had been taken in that instance. “For one family, they are ready to upset the entire Muslim community and AHINDA, of which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is a leader. Dalits are being affected, the Muslim community is upset. That is why Muslims, AHINDA groups, and secular-minded people are all concerned. The party should investigate, gather evidence, and then proceed,” he said.

The scholars also stated that the Muslim community had supported the party overwhelmingly in elections and warned that distancing itself from the community could have political consequences. They said they had met the Congress high command prior to the byelection and requested that a Muslim candidate be fielded in South Davangere, adding that the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa had indicated support for a minority candidate in the next election.  However, the party did not field a minority candidate in the bypoll.

Maulana Zainul Abideen said that without the support of Muslim voters, it would be difficult for the Congress to sustain itself in the state. He cited examples of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, where the party has weakened, and urged it to take its relationship with the Muslim community seriously. The Ulema also demanded that MLC Abdul Jabbar be reinstated and that Naseer Ahmed be reappointed or given an alternative position, stating that both leaders are important representatives of the community. Maulana Qasmi further stated that Muslims are not solely dependent on the Congress party for their rights and welfare and have other political options available.