Respected Ms Sonia Gandhi,

We, the undersigned, are individuals who have come together to reach out to you because we are deeply concerned about the assault on citizens’ rights in Karnataka since the Congress government assumed office in May.

You wrote an article in the pages of The Hindu on October 30, drawing attention to the situation in Gaza, where thousands of children, women and men have been killed by the “Israeli military’s indiscriminate operations in and around Gaza”. You also stated in that article that the “loudest and most powerful voices should be for a cessation of military activity”.

There were — and still are — many people in Karnataka who wished to add their voices to the thousands of protesters across the world taking to the streets to demand that the Israel military stop the killing of Palestinian civilians. However, even as you made an impassioned appeal in favour of achieving an end to that violence, the Congress government in Karnataka has unleashed the state machinery to prevent any expression of solidarity with Palestinians.

On October 16, hundreds of people gathered at MG Road in Bengaluru calling for an end to the violence in Gaza. The police not only denied permission, but also booked several people for that protest. One person in Vijayanagar district was detained on October 12 allegedly for a posting a pro-Palestine WhatsApp status. Protesters were detained in Mysuru and Tumakuru districts as well. The police have taken suo-moto action in many of these cases.

Is the position of the Congress party on the humanitarian crisis in Palestine then different from the stance of the Congress government in Karnataka?

We are extremely disappointed that the Congress government which came to power claiming values of secularism and justice has launched an attack on the rights of citizens to protest over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

We are also deeply disturbed that this issue is not the only one where the Congress government has failed to uphold its stated commitment to the Constitution of India. It is a matter of grave concern that the Congress government in Karnataka is behaving no differently than the previous BJP government that it dislodged.

On several occasions in the recent past, the government headed by your party has failed to act decisively against communal forces, giving them a free rein to brazenly carry out their Hindutva agenda across the state. Communal violence has continued in Karnataka in places such as Raichur district over derogatory remarks made about Prophet Mohammed, and in Shivamogga district during an Eid procession. An anti-communal wing was set up in Mangaluru, to curb instances of moral policing but it has largely remained on paper. The Congress government also failed to order an investigation into alleged financial corruption over a statue in Udupi district because some Congress leaders are close to the BJP leaders involved.

Whether it is the police zealousness over the Palestine protests, or the failure of the state police to curb communal violence, it is impossible to believe that these failures are occurring without the knowledge of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. It is protocol for the chief minister to obtain daily reports on the law and order situation from the Director-General of Police and on administrative affairs in the state from the Chief Secretary. The IPS cadre officers therefore, come under the direct control of the chief minister who has failed to ensure that the police curb communal elements.

The Congress came to power claiming ideals of secularism and justice — and has since mandated the reading of the Constitution’s Preamble in schools — but Karnataka’s people are yet to see these ideals put into practice. It appears that the Congress has only defeated the BJP electorally, but has failed to rein in the rampant communalism that the saffron party unleashed.

You wrote in your article that humanity itself is on trial, that we are collectively diminished by the brutal attacks on Israel and by Israel’s disproportionate and equally brutal response.

Humanity is on trial in Karnataka too. The Congress government has let down the state’s women, Dalits and minorities by failing to act against elements that harm them. There is an overwhelming atmosphere of fear and insecurity among vulnerable communities and the government has failed to reassure them that they and their rights will be protected.

The government must take concrete steps urgently to reassure women, Dalits and minorities that they can live freely and without fear. After all, there can be no peace without justice.

Warm Regards,

Writers and human rights Activists