Bengaluru, April 16, 2026: Representatives of prominent Muslim organizations, institutions, and federations from various parts of Karnataka have strongly condemned the manner in which the Congress party is treating the Muslim community and its leaders in a joint statement.

The leaders stated that the united support of Muslims was a primary reason for the Congress party coming to power in the state. However, recent actions by the party and its government make it clear that Muslims are not being treated with dignity. The community feels a deep sense of pain that despite their decisive contribution to the party’s victory, they are being denied adequate representation in political appointments and key bureaucratic positions, and are instead being repeatedly insulted.

Reflecting on the Davanagere by-election and other recent developments, the statement alleged that Congress is sending a clear message: “You are only a vote bank for us. Your job is only to vote for Congress. Positions, status, representation, and opportunities in the party are an act of charity from us. If you question your rights or the injustice done to you, disciplinary action will be taken.” The organizations declared that the Muslim community in Karnataka will no longer tolerate this biased attitude.

The Congress party, which is putting certain Muslim leaders in the dock for anti-party activities and teaching them lessons in discipline, must clarify what disciplinary measures were taken in similar situations in the past. Otherwise, it raises serious questions about whether party rules apply only to one community. The leaders emphasized that this is not just about a few individuals but the dignity of the entire community. Unilateral decisions taken without consulting religious and social leaders are unjustifiable.

The statement criticized Congress for portraying the demand for representation as a mistake. It called out the party for denying deserved tickets and then taking disciplinary action on trivial grounds after the leaders campaigned for the party. There is also suspicion that Congress leaders are pitting community leaders against each other. The joint statement further condemned certain community leaders who prioritize self-interest over supporting those raising their voice for the community.

The leaders noted that while leaders from other communities face no action even for major blunders or direct anti-party statements—and are instead rewarded—a leader from a specific community faces severe consequences for the slightest deviation. This discrimination, they warned, would be harmful to the party’s future. They urged the Congress not to mistake the community’s support for the desire for a secular government as a weakness or a lack of alternatives. The representatives demanded a reconsideration of the current decisions and urged the party to refrain from unilateral actions in the future.

The statement was issued and supported by: Maulana Syed Tanveer Hashmi (President, Muslim Muttahida Council, Vijayapura), Abdul Qadeer Saheb (President, Shaheen Group of Institutions, Bidar), Maulana Shabbir Ahmed Nadvi (President, Welfare of Humanity Foundation, Bengaluru), K.S. Mohammad Masood (President, The Muslim Central Committee – DK & Udupi), Haji Mohammad Hanif (General Secretary, The Muslim Central Committee), Muhammad Maula (President, Udupi District Muslim Okkuta), Yaseen Malpe (Past President, Udupi District Muslim Okkuta), Maulana Abdur Rakib Nadvi (General Secretary, Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem, Bhatkal), Ashraf Ali Bashir (Convener, Muslim Voice of Karnataka, Hubballi), Dr. Abdul Karim (Former Chairman, Karnataka State Minorities Commission, Hubballi), K. Ashraf (President, D.K. District Muslim Okkuta), Muhammad Hanif (Secretary, D.K. District Muslim Okkuta), Maulana Abdul Azeez Darimi (Leader, Sunni Yuvajana Sangha Karnataka), Haji Abubakr Nejar (District President, Sunni Sanyukta Jamat, Udupi), Mohammad Rafiq (District President, Karnataka Muslim Jamat, Udupi), Rafiuddin Kudroli (President, UNIVEF Mangaluru), Qasim Shuaiburrahman Qureshi (President, All India Jameeat-ul-Quresh, Karnataka), Afzal Mahmood (Secretary, Karnataka Muslim Political Forum, Gulbarga), Jabbar Kalaburagi (President, Karnataka Muslim Unity, Bagalkote), Nisar Ahmed (State Coordinator, Eddelu Karnataka, Mangaluru), Nakwa Yahya Malpe (President, Namma Naada Okkuta, Udupi), Afsar (President, Karnataka Souharda Okkuta, Mandya), Advocate Abdul Jabbar Gola (Vice President, Joint Action Committee, Gulbarga), Advocate Anshad Palya (All India Lawyers Union & Hasan District Muslim Organizations Federation), Haji Suleiman Saheb (President, Thirthahalli Taluk Sanyukta Muslim Okkuta), and Mujahid Pasha (Al Jamat-ul-Quraish Trust, Basavakalyan). They urged the Congress party to reconsider its unilateral decisions and provide fair representation.

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