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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'Someone must be held accountable': HC converts civil suit on Goa nightclub tragedy into PIL
Panaji (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Monday converted a civil suit against Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) saying "someone has to be held accountable" for the tragedy in which 25 people were killed.In a stern observation, Goa bench of the High Court of Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ashish Chavan said the local panchayat had "failed to take suo motu cognisance" of the club and had taken "no action despite complaints."
The division bench directed the Goa government to file a detailed reply on the permissions granted to the nightclub.
The High Court, while fixing January 8 as the next date of hearing, pointed out that commercial operations were continuing in the structure despite it having been served a demolition order.
The original petition was filed after the December 6 tragedy by Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil Divkar, the owners of the land on which the nightclub was operating.
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Advocate Rohit Bras de Sa, the lawyer representing the petitioner, was made amicus curiae in the matter and has been asked to file a detailed affidavit in the matter.
In their petition, Amonkar and Divkar highlighted "the alarming pattern of statutory violations that have remained inadequately addressed despite multiple complaints, inspections, show-cause notices, and even a demolition order".
They contended that these violations posed "immediate threats to public safety, ecological integrity, and the rule of law in the state of Goa."
Investigations by multiple agencies into the nightclub fire have revealed various irregularities, including lack of permissions to operate the nightclub.
The Goa police arrested five managers and staff members of the club, while co-owners Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra have been detained in Thailand after they fled the country.
