A day after Bajrang Dal Harsha’s murder, violence sparks in Karnataka, 20 people were injured and a curfew is now imposed in Shivamogga.
A day after the Bajrang Dal worker’s murder, violence erupts in Karnataka which mars his funeral procession with a curfew imposed in Shivamogga Karnataka and the body of Harsha was taken to his residence in Shivamogga amid tight security.
No hijab link to Bajrang Dal worker’s killing says Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra. However, at least 20 people were injured on Monday and around 50 vehicles torched during the funeral procession of a Bajrang Dal worker who was murdered on Sunday.
Dr. Narayana Gowda, who is the district in-charge minister of Shivamogga, has said that no organization was involved in the murder of Bajrang Dal worker Harsha.
“Minor enmity is said to be behind this murder. A detailed investigation will bring out the truth,” he said.
The police had to resort to lathi-charge and fire teargas shells. Curfew was imposed in Shivamogga — about 270 km from Bengaluru.
Harsha, 23, was stabbed by a group of men on Sunday night while he was on his way to have dinner at Bharathi Colony near New Thirthahalli Road here. He died during treatment. A day later, the police arrested three persons.
Sources in the police said Harsha was an active member of Bajrang Dal for the last five years and worked for a courier delivery agency. The people suspecting he was killed by Muslims due to the hijab controversy started rioting. However, the police have clearly ruled out an Islamic angle to it.
There were reports of sporadic violence on Sunday night soon after Harsha’s murder, but police had managed to bring it under control. However, trouble began around 11.30 am on Monday when the funeral procession began from McGann Hospital, after the post-mortem, to the Rotary cemetery in Vidyanagar.
Defying prohibitory orders, estimated 1,000-strong grievers unleashed violence when the procession was passing through Seegahatti, where Harsha lived. They ransacked shops, hotels, and damaged private vehicles parked on Azad Nagar and New Thirthahalli Road. Vegetable and fruit stalls were also vandalized in some areas, and tyres were set on fire even though a heavy police force was deployed to prevent a flare-up. Even media persons and their vehicles were not spared. Educational institutions, government offices, shops, commercial establishments, malls, petrol bunks, and markets remained closed throughout the day. The state government deployed about 1,200 policemen from different districts to Shivamogga.
Shops and commercial establishments faced stone pelting by Bajrang Dal members in Shivamogga as they protested the reported murder of their member Harsha. Police personnel from other districts have moved to Shivamogga to maintain law and order. @TheQuint pic.twitter.com/lkVZA3TW32
— Nikhila Henry (@NikhilaHenry) February 21, 2022
A netizen shared that Harsha’s murder had no connection with a Muslim and it appeared to be due to a property dispute, two names were released, Suresh and Santosh Gowda, though the police still have to give their verified statements. People suspect this is being withheld to allow Hindu Muslim riots, to enable the elections to work in favor of BJP. The truth is yet to come out.
The Bajrang dal terrorist who was killed lately was due to the enmity caused because of property issue. His death has no connection with Hijab. This is known to Karnataka police but hiding these details on the instructions of Tadeepar so riots can happen. Please maintain PEACE.🙏
— Md_Faiz_Indian (@Faiz_INC) February 21, 2022
Please spread this so as to save #Karnataka.
— Md_Faiz_Indian (@Faiz_INC) February 21, 2022
— Md_Faiz_Indian (@Faiz_INC) February 22, 2022
home department has deputed senior officers to monitor the situation and a platoon of Rapid Action Force has also been summoned from Chennai. Shivamogga district minister KS Eshwarappa said he will urge CM Basavaraj Bommai to hand over the murder probe to National Investigation Agency.
Dr. Narayana Gowda, in charge of the district of Shivamogga, said no organization was involved in the murder of Bajrang Dal worker Harsha and it was a minor enmity behind this murder, why are people trying to make it communal?
It appears that information is being withheld to the public on the actual killers of Harsha so as to stoke up riots to win the elections in favor of the BJP as evidenced during every election. Is it really true that “Hindus Khatre Mein Hain?” during elections, in danger from their own political leaders?
