- 12 November, 2026
Bengaluru, November 12, 2026: Representatives of Christian and Muslim communities, Dalit organisations, farmers' groups and human rights bodies have urged the Karnataka Government to fulfil its 2023 Assembly election commitments, including repealing the anti-conversion law, restoring four per cent reservation for Muslims under Category 2B and taking stronger action against hate speech and communal violence.
The demands were presented in a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on November 12 during a public convention organised by the Voice of Minorities and the Oppressed Sections of Karnataka at Freedom Park, Bengaluru.
The memorandum expressed concern that several assurances made by the Congress in its 2023 election manifesto remained unfulfilled, despite the government having completed more than three years in office. Other demands included repealing the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, and strengthening protections for religious minorities and vulnerable communities.
Demand for repeal of anti-conversion law
The memorandum called for the complete repeal of the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022, arguing that its provisions threatened religious freedom, freedom of conscience, privacy and individual autonomy.
It recalled that the State Cabinet had decided in June 2023 to repeal the legislation but said the government had yet to complete the necessary legislative process.
The representatives expressed concern that provisions of the law could expose ordinary religious activities, including prayer meetings, worship and the sharing of religious beliefs, to allegations of unlawful conversion, creating insecurity among minority communities, particularly Christians.
They also questioned Section 6, which provides for marriages to be declared null and void under specified circumstances involving unlawful conversion, and Sections 8 and 9, which prescribe declaration and reporting procedures relating to religious conversion.
Citing Supreme Court judgments, including Shafin Jahan v. Asokan K.M. (2018), Lata Singh v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2006) and Shakti Vahini v. Union of India (2018), the memorandum emphasised the constitutional right of consenting adults to choose their life partners. It also invoked the 2017 Justice K.S. Puttaswamy judgment recognising privacy as a fundamental right.
The groups maintained that selective amendments or administrative safeguards would not address their concerns and demanded complete repeal of the legislation.
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Call to restore Muslim reservation
The memorandum also sought restoration of the four per cent reservation previously provided to eligible Muslim communities under Category 2B of Karnataka's Other Backward Classes classification.
It said the discontinuation of the category had raised concerns about access to education and employment among socially and educationally disadvantaged sections of the Muslim community.
Referring to Articles 15(4), 15(5) and 16(4) of the Constitution, the representatives urged the government to take legally sustainable measures to restore the reservation in accordance with judicial orders and constitutional principles.
Action against hate speech and communal violence
The organisations called for stronger action against hate speech, communal incitement, threats and violence targeting religious minorities and vulnerable communities.
The memorandum cited incidents of attacks on places of worship, intimidation of religious gatherings and violence in the name of religion or cattle protection.
Referring to Supreme Court directions in Shaheen Abdulla v. Union of India (2022), the groups called for police to take suo motu action in cases involving offences related to communal hatred and inflammatory speech. They also cited Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay v. Union of India and the 2018 Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India judgment, which laid down preventive, remedial and punitive measures against mob lynching and vigilantism.
The memorandum urged the state to ensure effective investigations, prosecution of offenders and accountability of officials who fail to protect citizens.
Farmers and cattle workers' concerns
The representatives also demanded repeal of the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, citing its impact on farmers, cattle traders, transporters and workers dependent on cattle-related occupations.
They argued that restrictions on the sale and disposal of unproductive cattle had increased the financial burden on small and marginal farmers, who must continue bearing the costs of maintaining animals that are no longer economically viable.
The memorandum also raised concerns over intimidation and attacks on cattle transporters and traders by vigilante groups. It said the legislation had wider implications for livelihoods, food choices and nutritional security, particularly among economically disadvantaged communities.
15-point action plan
Beyond the principal demands, the memorandum called for equal access to education, housing, scholarships, livelihood assistance and social security schemes for eligible minorities, Dalits and other marginalised communities.
Its proposed 15-point action plan included repealing the anti-conversion law and withdrawing cases registered under it, restoring Category 2B reservation through constitutionally sustainable measures, strengthening action against hate crimes, implementing Supreme Court directions on mob violence and repealing the cattle preservation legislation.
The organisations urged the Chief Minister to announce a definite and time-bound programme to implement the government's election commitments.
The memorandum was submitted on behalf of the Voice of Minorities and the Oppressed Sections of Karnataka, with copies sent to the Deputy Chief Minister, the Ministers for Law and Parliamentary Affairs and Minorities Welfare, and the Chief Secretary of Karnataka.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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