Bengaluru: Tensions have surfaced between sections of Karnataka’s Muslim community and the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government following dissatisfaction over ticket distribution in the Davanagere South by-election, organisers and attendees said.
Muslim groups have planned a major convention, the “Karnataka Muslim Convention”, at Town Hall on May 16 to assess the Congress government’s three-year record and review promises made to the community. A preparatory meeting at AJ International Hotel drew more than 75 representatives, including senior ulemas, lawyers, retired officials, journalists and social activists.
Organisers presented a report titled “What did the Congress government promise, what has it delivered, and what next?”, prepared jointly by the Karnataka State Muslim Federation’s ad hoc committee and sectoral experts. The document reportedly examines ten major pledges, marking those fulfilled and those pending, and highlights concerns over political representation.
Attendees discussed a range of sensitive issues affecting the community, including the hijab controversy, reservation and scholarship policies, hate speech and hate crimes, Wakf administration, the anti-cow slaughter law, anti-conversion legislation, and budget allocations for minority welfare and education. Organisers said further amendments and recommendations would be incorporated before the report is finalised and released at the convention.
Speakers at the meeting voiced strong dissatisfaction with the state government’s approach, with several warning that if treatment of the community did not improve, Muslims should “keep their political options open” in future elections. As a political signal, organisers have decided not to invite any politicians to the convention; final copies of the report will be submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and other ministers and MLAs after the event.
The convention is expected to draw close attention from political parties amid renewed debate in Karnataka over minority representation, welfare measures and the hijab issue.