Pressure on Karnataka government to withdraw anti-cow slaughter and anti-conversion laws increasing

A file photo of a protest rally against the anti-conversion Bill, which was tabled during the Winter Session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, in Bengaluru in December 2021. | Photo Credit: File photo

The Congress government seems to be under pressure as restive Muslim and Christian communities have come together with a demand to act on the party’s promise to withdraw the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, popularly known as the anti-cow slaughter legislation, and the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022, known as the anti-conversion Act.

Besides, Muslims are seeking clarity on the government’s stand over reservation for them under 2B category, and are urging the government to increase the reservation from 4% to 8% based on the population. Christians are demanding a separate 1% reservation under the OBC reservation matrix. The communities have also sought clarity on the imbroglio over the hate speech Bill.

Though former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had initiated the process to withdraw/amend the legislations in the initial days of the second tenure in 2023, it came under pressure from Hindu mutt seers, who had collectively opposed any such move, forcing the government to backtrack.