The Karnataka Cabinet’s decision to withdraw criminal cases linked to the 2022 communal violence near the Ladle Mashak Dargah has triggered a major political controversy, with the opposition BJP accusing the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government of minority appeasement and attempting to quietly bury serious riot cases under the cover of protest-related case withdrawals, as reported in The Free Press Journal.
The controversy erupted after the Karnataka government approved the withdrawal of 52 criminal cases registered across the state in connection with protests, agitations and law-and-order incidents involving pro-Kannada organisations, farmers, Dalit activists and others. Among these were six to seven FIRs related to the communal clashes that took place in Aland town of Kalaburagi district in March 2022.
According to reports and cabinet records accessed by CNN-News18, the withdrawn dargah-related cases involved serious charges including rioting, attempt to murder, assault on police personnel and destruction of government property. More than 100 accused persons, including several individuals allegedly identified through video footage, are expected to benefit from the withdrawal.
The violence had erupted near the centuries-old dargah of Sufi saint Hazarat Shaikh Allauddin Ansari, which has long been at the centre of a religious dispute. A cylindrical-shaped stone within the dargah premises is referred to by some Hindu groups as the “Raghava Chaitanya Shivalinga.”
Tensions escalated in March 2022 after members of Sri Rama Sene announced plans to conduct a “purification puja” at the site on the eve of Maha Shivaratri. On the same day, members of the Muslim community planned a Shab-e-Barat procession in honour of the Sufi saint.
Karnataka Congress government has withdrawn the Aland Ladle Mashaq Dargah clash case following a request by Speaker UT Khader
The move has triggered criticism & renewed allegations that the Congress government is once again engaging in minority appeasement politics. pic.twitter.com/xFRIyLrCVG
— Nishkama_Karma (@Nishkama_Karma1) May 22, 2026
Police imposed prohibitory orders in the area and restricted Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik from entering Aland. However, a procession led by then Kalaburagi MP Bhagwanth Khuba moved toward the dargah, after which large-scale violence broke out.
According to police records cited in media reports, a large mob allegedly armed with rods, swords, stones and other weapons gathered near the dargah premises and attacked police personnel deployed on bandobast duty. Cabinet documents reportedly stated that rioters targeted police officers with “murderous intent” while shouting religious slogans.
A Deputy Superintendent of Police and several constables were injured in the stone-pelting and clashes. One accused, identified as Akib Ansari in the records cited by CNN-News18, was allegedly accused of threatening police personnel during the violence.
Police had arrested around 165 persons, including 10 women, and registered multiple FIRs in connection with the incident.
IS THIS ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE “FALSE”? ARE THESE ACTIONS “INNOCENT”? WEREN’T POLICEMEN “MURDEROUSLY” ATTACKED?
LETTER TRAIL EXPOSES “WHITEWASH” @harishupadhya reports that cases were closed against “rioters” by Karnataka Sarkara despite objections.
Here’s the Chronology:
1. Just… pic.twitter.com/x3mqBwNvym— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) May 22, 2026
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara defended the decision and stated that the withdrawals were made following recommendations by a Cabinet sub-committee after examining the legal aspects of the cases.
He stated that the government had considered the pros and cons, obtained legal opinion and secured Cabinet approval before proceeding with the withdrawal. However, he declined to discuss specific details regarding the dargah-related cases.
The BJP strongly criticised the move, alleging that the Congress government had deliberately clubbed serious communal violence cases with protest-related cases to avoid public scrutiny.
BJP leaders accused the Siddaramaiah government of engaging in appeasement politics and argued that withdrawing cases involving serious charges against police attackers would send a dangerous message and weaken law enforcement.
The issue is also expected to trigger legal challenges, with reports suggesting that petitions could be moved before the Karnataka High Court questioning the legality of withdrawing cases involving grave offences while trials are still pending.
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