Minority Welfare Committee Demands Special Law to Curb Targeted Atrocities in Karnataka
“ಕೇವಲ ಮಾತಲ್ಲ್! ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತರ ಮೇಲಿನ ‘ಗಮಕಿ ದೌರ್ಜನ್ಯ’ ತಡೆಯಲು ವಿಶೇಷ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ ಘೋಷಣೆ”
BENGALURU, September 13: The Minority Fraternity Committee has called upon the Karnataka government to enact a special law to protect minority communities from what it describes as a rising tide of intentional atrocities and hate-driven incidents across the state.
The demand was formalized in a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister’s Political Secretary, Nasir Ahmed, on Saturday. The committee’s chief coordinator, Javed Khan, led the delegation and argued that a dedicated “Atrocities Against Minorities Act” is essential to safeguard the community’s rights, dignity, and security.
Systematic Targeting and Public Instability Alleged
In the memorandum, the committee alleged that certain politicians are deliberately targeting the Muslim community to create unrest among the general public. They cited the recent vilification of Bano Muqthar, a renowned environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee from Mysuru, as a prime example of this trend.
“The systematic harassment of a respected figure like Bano Muqthar, solely on the basis of her religion during the Mysuru Dasara celebrations, is deeply concerning. It reflects a broader pattern of intent to marginalize and insult our community,” said Javed Khan, Chief Coordinator of the Minority Fraternity Committee.
He emphasized that the majority of the Muslim community in Karnataka are working-class citizens engaged in small-scale jobs and manual labour to make ends meet. “Our people are hardworking citizens contributing to the state’s economy. Yet, a few communal elements are making provocative statements in the name of Hindu-Muslim relations to disrupt societal harmony,” Khan added.
Citing Institutional Harassment and Demanding Legal Safeguards
The committee further highlighted issues beyond public discourse, pointing to alleged institutional discrimination. They claimed that Muslim government employees are facing casteist abuse and sexual harassment within their workplaces, indicating a need for stronger legal protection mechanisms.
Media Updates: +91-93531 21474 [WhatsApp] | indianowme@gmail.com
“It is due to these increasing challenges—from public defamation to institutional harassment—that we insist on a specific law. A special legislation will act as a deterrent and ensure justice for victims,” Khan asserted, outlining the core rationale behind the demand for the new law.
The delegation included several key members of the committee, such as Coordinator Alam Ghani, Mastan Nayak Khanapur, Tajuddin, and M.D. Saleem, underscoring the collective nature of the appeal.
The appeal now places the ball in the court of the state government, prompting a response to concerns over minority safety and social harmony in Karnataka.
Key Quotes
-
Javed Khan, Chief Coordinator: “The systematic harassment of a respected figure like Bano Muqthar, solely on the basis of her religion… is deeply concerning. It reflects a broader pattern of intent to marginalize and insult our community.”
-
Javed Khan, on the community: “Our people are hardworking citizens contributing to the state’s economy. Yet, a few communal elements are making provocative statements… to disrupt societal harmony.”
-
Javed Khan, on the solution: “A special legislation will act as a deterrent and ensure justice for victims.”
