The Congress government in Karnataka is facing mounting pressure from Muslim and Christian communities that have joined forces to demand the withdrawal of the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, commonly known as the anti‑cow slaughter law, and the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022, the anti‑conversion legislation. The communities argue that the laws are inconsistent with the party’s earlier promises and that their continued existence fuels communal tensions. They also seek clarity on the government’s stance on reservations for Muslims under the 2B category and a separate 1 % reservation for Christians within the OBC framework.
In addition to the legislative demands, the groups have raised questions about the hate‑speech bill that the state legislature passed in 2025. While the Supreme Court has upheld the adequacy of existing provisions, the Karnataka Home Ministry has stalled the bill after the Governor referred it to the President. Earlier in May, the state government temporarily lifted a ban on Muslim girls wearing hijabs in educational institutions in response to a KRMO convention that outlined the party’s promises, gaps in delivery, and a charter of demands.
Community leaders have met with Congress legislators and senior party officials on several occasions. Shabeer Ahmed, a steering‑committee member of the Karnataka Rajya Muslim Okkoota, said the winter session would be the last chance for the government to act, adding that the parties’ lack of action would leave the country with the same laws that harmed minorities under the previous BJP rule. J.A. Kanthraj, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bangalore, confirmed plans for a large joint protest in November and additional district‑level demonstrations.
Cabinet ministers have indicated that the government is still mulling the two bills, citing the recent majority of the Congress in the upper house. One senior minister said the administration would adhere to the Supreme Court ruling on hate speech, while another noted that the Law Department would make the final decision. The Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Minority Affairs, Haj and Wakf, U.T. Khader, acknowledged that the new government under Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is aware of the issue and is considering the demands.
