In the light of a series of disconcerting developments in the State pertaining to Minorities, the community is living in fear, senior Congress member in the Legislative Council Nazeer Ahmed said on Wednesday, urging the Government to clarify its stand on Minorities.
“We want to live in peace and give us an opportunity to do so. The issues of love jihad, the anti-conversion Bill among other things are making us feel that you (Government) are discriminating. The latest is the issue of the campaign against halal meat. More than 90% of meat exporters in the country are non-Muslims and they export halal meat,” he said during a discussion in the Legislative Council. The Congress member said, “We have nothing to do with the partition. We were born after 1947 and are living here.”
Mr. Ahmed said: “If you want to discriminate, state openly that we are second class citizens. We can have a debate on that if you state your stand clearly. We are living in a state of fear and wake up every morning with anxiety.”
Providing examples, he said that the Government rounded up several people belonging to the minority community for alleged involvement in D.J. Halli violence under UAPA, and cases have been lodged against those allegedly involved in Aland violence. “But after violence broke out in Shivamogga, cases have not been registered. During an Urus in KGF, idols were damaged in a nearby temple. Urus is happening in different parts and we are scared,” he said.
Taking his own example, Mr. Ahmed asked Home Minister Araga Jnanendra if the Government has different yardsticks even for providing security. “I had not sought police protection for 21 years that I have been a legislator. It has been six months since security has been sought, but I have not been given. I have spoken to the Police Commissioner, Home Secretary and IG Intelligence. Is the denial because of community? What conclusion should I arrive at?” he asked.
When the Home Minister said that the decision to provide security is taken at the district level and based on perception of threat, Mr. Ahmed pointed out that Government has provided security to even rowdy-sheeters. Mr. Jnanendra promised to look into the issue.
