Congress softens stance on hijab ban in Karnataka, repeals controversial laws: two reasons why
There are no signs of the promised repeal of the Anti-Conversion Law and the Cattle Slaughter Prohibition Law, and it is clear that no order has been issued on lifting the hijab ban. Since taking charge of Karnataka state in May, the Congress-led government has moved away from dealing with these three contentious issues dating back to the BJP’s time in power. Some in Congress link it to the pragmatic approach adopted to not give the BJP any ammunition in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
In June, after the second Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the government announced that the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022 — commonly referred to as the Anti-Conversion Act — would be repealed. Before the elections, the party announced that it would withdraw the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020. The Cattle Act imposed an almost complete ban on cow slaughter in the state. The law came into effect in 2021 amid objections from the Congress and the JD(S), now allied with the BJP.
However, draft laws aimed at repealing the strict provisions of these laws have yet to see the light of day. Meanwhile, the government passed 13 laws during the budget session in July and 17 during the last winter session.
Congress says proposed bills repealing these laws are still under discussion at the Law Ministry. “The state government will approach this matter soon,” Salim Ahmed, working president of MLC and state Congress, told The Indian Express. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Hong Kong Patel was not available for comment. But according to party insiders, the delay is a result of the party’s numerical weakness in the legislative assembly, where the BJP and JD(S) form the majority. At present, the Congress has only 29 MLAs in the 75-member assembly compared to 34 from the BJP and eight from the JD(S). One is an independent member of the MLC, the other is the President, the remaining positions are vacant.
“While the JD(S) had opposed the passage of the bills when the BJP was in power, the tables have now turned due to their alliance. Congress will not be able to pass the bills without getting a majority in the assembly,” a Congress leader said, adding that the matter may It takes more than six months for the numbers to change.
There are also fears of the repercussions of the parliamentary elections. Last week, a day after he said he had instructed officials to scrap the hijab ban order in government schools and colleges, Siddaramaiah on Saturday clarified that he had not issued any official order and the final decision would be taken after a government-level discussion. At present, the case is pending before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court. In October 2022, a bench delivered a divided ruling while hearing a challenge to the Karnataka High Court order that upheld the ban.
Congress insiders said the government is trying to drag its feet on issues that could give the BJP an advantage ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The opposition party is still trying to find its feet after its defeat in May, and has a new leadership team. “Look at the recent twist on the possibility of withdrawing the hijab ban. Fearing that the BJP will take over the issue, Siddaramaiah said the government is still discussing the matter. A party source said this is part of its strategy to stay away from issues that could favor Bharatiya Janata Party.
