‘Scrap anti-conversion law, stop SIR, give separate budget’: Muslim Convention makes controversial demands in Karnataka from Congress
A convention organised by 48 Muslim organisations in Bengaluru has sparked political debate after several demands were placed before the Congress government in Karnataka. The groups demanded restoration of Muslim reservation, a separate budget for Muslims, repeal of anti-conversion and cattle slaughter laws, political representation, and protection of Waqf properties.
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A political controversy has started in Karnataka after 48 Muslim organisations gathered at Bengaluru’s Town Hall and presented a list of demands before the Congress-led state government. The convention was organised by the Federation of Karnataka Muslim Organisations and focused on issues related to reservation, education, religious freedom, political representation and welfare schemes for Muslims.
Image Source : ETV Bharat
The event was held under the slogan, “What did the Congress government promise? What has it done? What next?” Representatives from several districts, including Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Hubballi, Davangere, Mandya and Hassan, attended the programme.
One of the biggest demands raised at the convention was the restoration of the 4 per cent Category 2B reservation for Muslims in Karnataka. Some organisers also demanded that the quota be increased to 8 per cent. The groups argued that Muslims make up around 13 per cent of Karnataka’s population but have low political representation in the Assembly and Legislative Council.
The organisations also demanded:
• A separate budget for Muslims
• More political representation in Assembly, Parliament and local bodies
• Protection of Waqf properties
• Repeal of the anti-conversion law
• Withdrawal of the cattle slaughter prohibition law
• Better education support for Muslim students
• A ₹1000 crore grant for welfare programmes
• Immediate implementation of caste census recommendations
• A resolution against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists
Joint Convenor Tanveer Ahmed said the programme showed growing concern among Muslims over issues they believe remain unresolved. He claimed people attended voluntarily without political mobilisation or incentives. He also alleged that fake messages were spread on social media to create confusion and stop people from attending the event.
Another organiser, Hares Siddiqui, said the convention was not organised against the Congress party but to discuss community issues and future plans. He said misinformation campaigns affected attendance at the event.
Joint Convenor Suhail Maroor said the organisers prepared a detailed report in Urdu, Kannada and English after consulting activists, lawyers and community members. The report discussed issues related to reservation, education, Waqf administration and laws linked to religious practices and cow slaughter.
The organisers claimed that many promises made by Congress before the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections have still not been fulfilled. The report mentioned the anti-conversion law, cattle slaughter law and hijab-related restrictions introduced during the BJP government and said the Congress government had not taken enough legislative action to reverse them.
The convention comes at a time when there is reported dissatisfaction among some Muslim leaders regarding political representation within the Congress party, especially after the Davanagere South bypoll candidate selection.