Mangaluru: Former Mangaluru Mayor K Ashraf has stepped down from his post as the Vice-President of the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee, citing the state government’s alleged failure to curb growing incidents of communal violence and hate crimes in the coastal region.
Ashraf, who has served in various elected roles over the years—including as corporator, councillor, and Mayor of Mangaluru—said he was deeply disturbed by the recent killing of Abdul Rahiman alias Rahim of Kolattamajalu, and what he described as a pattern of unchecked communal hatred, targeted attacks, inflammatory speeches, and administrative indifference.
“Despite the Congress party currently being in power in Karnataka, the government has failed to curb the atrocities committed by Sangh Parivar elements and local miscreants against minorities in Dakshina Kannada and other parts of the state,” he said.
He pointed to a string of issues including hate speeches, communal provocations, murders of innocent individuals, biased arrests, religious discrimination by officials, and the recent brutal killing of Abdul Rahiman alias Rahim. He alleged that both the police and intelligence departments failed to prevent this murder despite threats being made in public.
Ashraf, who is also the President of Dakshii kannada Muslim okkuta,
criticized the government’s inability to uphold law and order and accused it of neglecting its duty to ensure the safety and basic rights of its citizens. As a result, he said he could no longer continue in his post and tendered his resignation from the Congress party’s Dakshina Kannada Vice-President role.
He further condemned the statement made by District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who described Rahiman’s murder as a result of personal enmity. Ashraf said such a comment was unacceptable and likely based on incorrect information provided to the minister. He demanded that the minister withdraw the statement immediately.
