“Correct mistakes, fulfil promises, give due representation immediately”: State Muslim organisations
“Thinking of keeping our political options open is now growing within the community”
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Federation of Muslim Organisations has written a letter to Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, K.C. Venugopal, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Dr Naseer Hussain, expressing strong objection to the way the party is treating Muslims in the state.
In the letter, the federation warned that “from the day it came to power, the Congress party has been neglecting the Muslim community which played a decisive role in bringing it to power. A question is troubling Muslims across the state — how can a party we supported so strongly treat us in this manner? A feeling is growing that supporting Congress unconditionally was a mistake. If this continues, the idea of keeping our political options open is now gaining strength within the community.”
The letter has been signed by several leaders and representatives, including Maulana Syed Tanveer Hashmi (Muslim Muttahida Council, Vijayapura), Dr Abdul Khadeer (Shaheen Group of Institutions), Maulana Shabbir Ahmed Nadvi (Welfare of Humanity Foundation, Bengaluru), K.S. Mohammed Masood (The Muslim Central Committee, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi), Maulana Iftikhar Ahmed Qasmi (Jamiatul Ulema Karnataka), Maulana Zulfiqar Raza Noori, Haji Mohammed Hanif, Mohammed Moula, Yaseen Malpe, Maulana Abdul Raqeeb Nadvi, Ashraf Ali Basheer, Dr Abdul Kareem Hubballi, K. Ashraf, Mohammed Hanif, Maulana Abdul Aziz Darimi, Haji Abubakkar Nejar, Mohammed Rafiq, Rafivuddin Kudroli, Kasim Shuaiburrahman Qureshi, Afzal Mahmood, Zakir Hussain Uchchil, Jabbar Kalaburagi, Nisar Ahmed, Naqwa Yahya Malpe, Afsar, Advocate Abdul Jabbar Gola, Advocate Anshad Palya, Haji Suleman Saheb, and Mujahid Pasha, among others.
What the letter says
The federation stated that the letter reflects the deep dissatisfaction among Muslim organisations across Karnataka over the conduct of the Congress government and party towards the community.
It said that in the 2023 Assembly elections, Muslims in Karnataka made a “model decision” by supporting Congress in the interest of upholding constitutional values and ensuring a secular government, despite having other political choices. This support, it said, helped Congress secure a strong majority and come to power.
However, the letter alleged that since assuming power, the party has continued to ignore the community that played a key role in its victory. It claimed that Muslims have not been given proper representation in the government, administration or key appointments, and that promises made to the community have not been fulfilled. Despite repeatedly bringing these concerns to the notice of the party and government, there has been no adequate response, it said.
The federation also expressed concern over recent developments, stating that the party’s “continuous neglect” has reached a new level. It alleged that discrimination against the Muslim community and unfair treatment have now become common.
It specifically referred to the ticket distribution and subsequent developments in the Davanagere South by-election, stating that the party’s actions have deeply hurt the Muslim community. “The manner in which the party behaved has raised serious questions among Muslims,” the letter said.
It further alleged that a rightful ticket was denied, and that while doing so, the legitimate demands of the community were completely ignored. It also claimed that the party leadership behaved as if seeking a ticket itself was a fault.
The letter added that after polling, the party acted in a manner that appeared hostile towards the community, including the sudden removal of senior Muslim leaders who had worked for the party for decades, without giving proper reasons or an opportunity for explanation. It described this as adding “insult to injury”.
The federation also pointed out that in the past, strong leaders from other communities who had worked against the party were not acted against, while strict action has now been taken swiftly against loyal Muslim leaders. This, it said, raises doubts about whether disciplinary action in the party is being applied selectively.
It also raised concerns that attempts may be underway within the party to pit Muslim leaders against each other.
“This is not about a few individuals, but about the dignity of the entire Muslim community,” the letter stated, adding that taking unilateral decisions without consulting religious and social leaders is not acceptable.
The federation criticised statements that Congress has provided the most “protection” to Muslims, stating that protection is a constitutional right of every citizen and not a favour by any party.
It said that a government must ensure proper political representation, fair share in power, participation in policy-making and fulfilment of promises made in election manifestos. Treating a community that voted overwhelmingly for the party as insignificant is unjust, the letter said.
Warning of political consequences, the federation stated that if Congress assumes that Muslims have no alternative, it could prove costly for the party in the future.
The letter urged the party and the government to immediately address the concerns of the Muslim community, correct their mistakes, fulfil promises made during the 2023 elections, and ensure adequate representation in key decision-making positions.
It also called on Congress to respond sensitively to the grievances of the community and take corrective steps without delay.
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NEET student hangs self in Rajasthan's Sikar
Jaipur (PTI): A student preparing for the NEET examination allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a rented room in Rajasthan's Sikar on Friday, police said.
According to the police, the student allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan using his sister's scarf while one sister was attending coaching classes and the other was in the bathroom.
He had appeared in the NEET UG exam 2026, which was cancelled due to paper leak, they said.
Udyog Nagar SHO Rajesh Kumar said that the deceased, identified as Pradeep Meghwal, was a resident of Kanika ki Dhani village in Jhunjhunu's Gudha Gaudji area.
He had been living in a rented room in Sikar's Jaldhari Nagar area with his two sisters while preparing for NEET over the last three years.
His elder sister later found him hanging and informed the landlord and police after bringing him down, officials said.
The SHO said the body was kept at SK Hospital mortuary, and a postmortem had not been conducted.
The student's father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, told police that Pradeep's NEET examination had gone well and the family was expecting him to score around 650 marks.
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot expressed grief over the incident and linked it to anxiety among students after reports of irregularities and paper leaks in NEET 2026.
Pilot said repeated paper leak incidents and cancellation of examinations were affecting students' mental health and demanded a time-bound investigation and strict action against those responsible.
