CPI(M) alleges unconstitutional cow slaughter law awareness drive inside mosques in Dakshina Kannada
Mangaluru: CPI(M) Dakshina Kannada district secretary Muneer Katipalla has lodged a complaint with the Western Range IGP, alleging that police personnel in Dakshina Kannada district have committed an unconstitutional and discriminatory act by visiting mosques under the pretext of conducting awareness programmes on the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act.
The complaint states that police officers from Dharmasthala visited the Kokkada Mosque and, in the name of awareness, warned worshippers of legal consequences. Similar visits reportedly took place in mosques across Sullia taluk, including Sullia Central Juma Masjid, Mogarpane Juma Masjid, Dugaladka Masjid, Sunnamoole, Kumbhakkodu, and Arantodu, where police allegedly stopped people during prayers and explained the provisions of the cattle slaughter law, warning that violators’ houses would be seized.
According to the complaint, this act sends a message that only Muslims violate the Karnataka cow slaughter law and, therefore, amounts to criminalising an entire community. “Just as the British once branded tribal and nomadic groups as ‘criminal tribes,’ are the Dakshina Kannada police now declaring the Muslim community as a ‘criminal community’?” the complaint asks.
The complaint further highlights that in several past cattle theft and illegal transport cases, including those registered in Karkala, Moodbidri, Belthangady, Uppinangady, Puttur, and Byndoor between 2020 and 2021, many accused individuals were non-Muslims. Yet, no similar awareness drives or property-seizure warnings were carried out in temples or other community centers. The selective targeting of mosques, the complaint argues, indicates bias and an attempt to stigmatize one community.
It questions the connection between Dharmasthala Police Station Crime No. 72/2025 and Kokkada Mosque, asserting that the police’s actions were not about awareness but about intimidation and communal targeting.
The complaint points out that Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution guarantee freedom of religion and the autonomy of religious institutions in managing their affairs. Therefore, any interference by state authorities, including the police, within a place of worship, especially on a sensitive issue like cow slaughter, violates the constitutional principle of state neutrality in matters of faith.
It further cites the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, which mandates that police duties must be carried out within the legal framework and under competent authority, not arbitrarily. Conducting an unofficial awareness campaign about a specific law inside a religious place, and implying that it applies only to a particular community, amounts to misuse of power and violation of law, the complaint argues.
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Goa nightclub fire: Owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra fled to Phuket after tragedy, say police
Panaji (PTI): Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the main accused and owners of the Goa nightclub where a massive blaze claimed 25 lives, fled to Phuket hours after the tragedy, Goa Police said on Monday.
"Goa Police have taken further steps to coordinate with the Interpol Division of the CBI to apprehend both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra at the earliest," a senior police officer said.
A massive fire at the nightclub, some 25 kilometres away from Panaji, on late Saturday night killed 25 persons. The deceased comprised 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists, including four from Delhi. Five injured people were undergoing treatment at the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
After registering an FIR against them, a Look Out Circular was issued against them by December 7 by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) at the request of the Goa Police.
The Bureau of Immigration at Mumbai was contacted, and it was found that both the accused had taken the 6E 1073 flight to Phuket at 5.30 am on December 7, immediately after the fire incident, which occurred around midnight, the officer said.
READ ALSO: Goa nightclub fire: Owner Saurabh Luthra expresses grief, assures management support
He said the Goa Police had immediately dispatched a team to Delhi to conduct raids on the addresses of the accused Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra.
"Since they were not available, a notice under the appropriate sections of law was pasted on the gate of their house. This shows their intent to avoid the police investigation", he said.
Goa Police have obtained transit remand of Bharat Kohli, an employee of the club, and are bringing him to Goa.
He also said that the postmortem on all 25 deceased has been completed and bodies handed over to their families.
