Shunning the call for boycott of “halal” meat by Hindutva organisations, leaders of several progressive organisations gathered in front of meat stalls owned by Muslims in Shantinagar in Mysuru on Sunday and purchased mutton from them.
The demonstration planned by Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Dalit Sangharsha Samithi and other organisations was attended by writer Devanur Mahadeva, socialist Pa Mallesh, KRRS leader Badagalapura Nagendra, Karnataka State Backward Classes Forum President K.S. Shivaram and others.
Most of the participants in the demonstration also purchased meat from the Muslim shopkeepers.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Devanur Mahadev came down heavily on the BJP Government in the State for abdicating its responsibility of ensuring law and order in the State. “Is there law and order in the State? If it is there, the Government should act against the groups that had taken over the law and order of the state,” he said.
Mr. Mahadev suspected that the State Government was encouraging the pro-Hindu groups that were going about spreading hatred in the society and asking people to abstain from halal meat. “Either there is no Government or the Government itself is encouraging such activities”, he said
He said the purpose behind the ongoing campaign against halal meat was to create hatred and divide people on the basis of religion to indulge in vote bank politics. “Hate is their energy. So, they spread falsehood. If there is polarisation and the society is divided, they can come to power. But, is it fair to become so inhuman just to come to power?”, Mr. Mahadev questioned.
While the Opposition parties in the State had become dull, these groups enjoying the support of the Government were working with missionary zeal to polarise the society by taking up such communal issues.
Mr. Mahadev said the bandh declared by Muslim organisations on March 17 against the High Court order on hijab was perfectly justified. “The bandh was neither against anybody nor was it aimed at troubling anybody. They were only expressing their heart by keeping their shops closed. It was a silent protest,” he said.
Reacting to statements by leaders pro-Hindu groups against the bandh, Mr. Devanur Mahadev wondered if they would have burst crackers when they were dissatisfied with any verdict. “The bandh was a model for the State”, he said.
Socialist and activist P. Mallesh recalled that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai was earlier in the socialist movement like him before regretted that Mr. Bommai had forgotten his roots after joining the BJP.
Describing his decision to join the BJP as a misfortune, Mr. Mallesh said the BJP was trying to isolate the Muslims for political gains. “There is a conspiracy to create divisions in the society and isolate the Muslims because of the approaching elections. The BJP doesn’t want Muslims as they don’t vote for the party,” he said.
However, he said Muslims in the country need not worry as people like him will stand by them.
