Karnataka logs 17 anti-conversion cases since 2023, no convictions yet; most end in compromise
Bengaluru: Karnataka has recorded 17 cases under the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022 between 2023 and 2026, with no convictions reported so far, according to figures placed before the Assembly.
Replying to a question by BJP MLC DS Arun on March 26, Home Minister G Parameshwara said three cases have been closed through ‘B’ reports while three are under police investigation and seven are pending before various courts.
Data shared by the minister showed that the highest number of cases were registered in 2023, when the Bharatiya Janata Party was in power. Of the 17 cases, 10 were filed in 2023, followed by three in 2024 and four in 2025. No cases have been registered so far in 2026.
The Indian National Congress, which assumed office in mid-2023, had promised in its election manifesto to repeal the Act. Although a draft repeal was reportedly circulated soon after the government took charge, no legislative steps have been initiated to withdraw the law.
The demand for repeal has been raised on multiple occasions. The issue figured during the 37th General Body Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Council of India, and Christian groups in Bengaluru had planned a protest ahead of the budget session beginning March 4, which was later deferred. During St Mary’s Feast in Bengaluru last year, Archbishop Peter Machado publicly urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to repeal the law. The Chief Minister had said the matter would be addressed in due course.
According to The News Minute report, district-wise data show that Bengaluru accounted for seven cases, four in 2023, one in 2024 and two in 2025, while two cases each were registered in Chitradurga and Gadag. One case each was reported from Mysuru, Haveri, Kodagu, Belagavi, Kalaburagi and Shivamogga.
The first case under the Act was registered in Bengaluru on October 13, 2022. The case was filed against a 22-year-old Muslim man accused of forcibly converting an 18-year-old Hindu woman after they allegedly eloped. On March 4, 2026, a magistrate court acquitted him after the complainant, the woman’s mother, informed the court that no forced conversion had taken place and that the parties had reached a compromise.
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Siddaramaiah, Vijayendra lead charge for Bagalkote
Bagalkote (Karnataka) (PTI): Poll-bound Bagalkote on Monday witnessed a high-decibel electioneering with both ruling Congress and opposition BJP attempting to woo the voters.
The by-poll to Bagalkote and Davanagere South assembly constituencies will take place on April 9. The elections were necessitated following the demise of sitting MLAs H Y Meti (Bagalkote) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davangere South).
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday reached Bagalkote to campaign for Meti’s son Umesh Meti, who will have a direct contest with BJP’s Charantimath.
Sporting a vermillion on his forehead, Siddaramaiah addressed a public meeting in the district headquarters town of north Karnataka.
Recalling the works done by H Y Meti, he appealed to the people to vote for the Congress candidate and Meti’s son Umesh Meti.
Siddaramaiah also told the audience about the five guarantees of the Congress government, which empowered the citizens of the state.
According to him, the Congress supported the Below Poverty Line families through the five guarantees and indirectly gave them the benefit of Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 a month.
He also hit out at the BJP, alleging that there was no development in the state during their reign from 2019 to 2023 in Karnataka.
Touching upon the issue of raising the height of Almatti Dam on Krishna river, Siddaramaiah alleged that the BJP government at the Centre stalled it by not issuing a gazette notification.
“Even after 13 years, the Centre did not issue the gazette notification. You must understand this. There is the BJP government at the Centre and now in the opposition. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and I met the central ministers several times but to no avail,” he alleged.
Siddaramaiah called on people to ask BJP candidate Charantimath, why it has not been notified in the gazette.
The BJP leaders and workers on Monday took out a march in the city holding party flags, posters and banners. They raised slogans in favour of the party candidate.
Speaking to reporters, Vijayendra expressed confidence that voters will bless the party and ensure the victory of its candidate Veeranna Charantimath in Bagalkote assembly bypoll, regardless of who campaigns in the constituency.
He said support for the BJP is steadily increasing in the constituency and party workers are actively engaged in campaigning from early morning.
The Shikaripura MLA said the political atmosphere in Bagalkote is in favour of the BJP and asserted that Charantimath would win by a comfortable margin.
“No tactics or conspiracies of the Congress will work,” Vijayendra said.
Referring to the role of the ruling party, the BJP state chief alleged that despite Bagalkote being the district that gave Chief Minister Siddaramaiah a ‘political rebirth’, it has been neglected by the government.
Siddaramaiah had contested the 2018 assembly election from the Badami assembly segment in Bagalkote district and won.
He said voters are aware of the ground realities, irrespective of speeches made during the campaign.
Alleging misuse of power, he said the Congress is "attempting to influence" voters using money and muscle power, but added that “aware voters” have decided to support the BJP.
Replying to a question on campaign dynamics, he described Charantimath as a "people-friendly" leader and claimed that even some Congress members want him to win. “When even Congress members want him to win, there is nothing wrong if others also support him,” he said.
He further claimed that in Bagalkote and Davangere South seats, some Congress workers are indirectly supporting the BJP.
“Anyone who works for the victory of the BJP candidate will be welcomed,” he said, adding that the election results will reflect the internal situation within both parties.
