Muslim Congress leaders meet Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai amid loudspeaker row

A delegation of Muslim lawmakers from the Congress urged Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to ensure peace and harmony in the state at a time when the right-wing groups launched a campaign against the use of loudspeakers at mosques on Monday.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition U T Khader, Rajya Sabha member Syed Naseer Hussain, Shantinagar MLA N A Haris and MLC Naseer Ahmed held talks with Bommai where they said the issue of noise pollution should not be linked to any particular religion.

“We said clearly that peace, harmony and brotherhood are of utmost importance. There’s no religion, caste or party here. We and our children should live happily and the government should create an atmosphere for that, Khader told reporters.

“When it comes to noise pollution, everybody should and will follow whatever policy or rule the government frames based on court orders. Even now people are following them,” Khader said.

The Congress leaders told Bommai that “some communal forces” are trying to rake up issues to create disorder. “We said the government should take steps to keep peace and harmony intact by taking precautionary measures,” Khader said, adding that some groups are taking law into their own hands and creating hatred on social media. “The CM said that the government will take all necessary steps.”

‘Book them under UAPA’

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council B K Hariprasad on Monday said persons raking up issues such as Azaan should be booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

“Some people have started a campaign that seeks to sow the seeds of poison among religions. Such people are terrorists. These things are happening to cover-up the government’s failures,” Hariprasad told reporters. The senior Congress leader also accused the Sangh Parivar of trying to disrupt peace.

Hariprasad’s counterpart in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah said the BJP government should quit if its leaders cannot maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D K Shivakumar said the Supreme Court has already issued its order on the use of loudspeakers for Azaan. “Our leaders have met the CM on this. It’s the CM’s responsibility to take action. Such issues are being raised deliberately. If they aren’t controlled, then there will be violence and communal clashes,” he said.