Karnataka Minister for Health, Dinesh Gundu Rao, on Wednesday, May 28 slammed the BJP after the murder of a Muslim man in the communally sensitive Dakshina Kannada district, saying that the party (BJP) is indulging in politics over dead bodies.
“When it comes to murderers, there is no question of considering caste or religion. In the cases of recent murders in Mangaluru, our government has conducted an impartial investigation and taken action according to law. Regardless of who the culprits are or how influential they may be, the police have been directed to arrest them and take all necessary legal measures,” Minister Rao said.
He stated that the killers of Abdul Raheem, who was murdered in Koltamajal near Bantwal town on Tuesday, have been identified and the police will take legal action.
The Minister said strict precautions have been implemented in the district to ensure no untoward incidents occur.
“Those responsible for the murder of innocent Mohammed Ashraf have been arrested, and even in the case of the rowdy sheeter Suhas Shetty, the culprits have been traced and taken into custody. He expressed confidence that the police are equally capable of apprehending those involved in Abdul Raheem’s murder,” Minister Rao stated.
He further pointed out that to prevent further retaliatory killings in the coastal region, the government is forming a Communal Crime Control Force, adding that the Anti-Communal Force will begin operations soon.
The communally sensitive Mangaluru district and coastal Karnataka remain tense following the murder of a 34-year-old man in the jurisdiction of the Bantwal Rural Police Station on Wednesday.
Additional police forces have been deployed to monitor the situation, and authorities have imposed prohibitory orders in the district until the evening of May 30.
Police have registered an FIR against 15 individuals in connection with the incident. The FIR names Deepak, Sumit, and others. Deepak and Sumit were known to Abdul Raheem. The FIR has been filed under Sections 103, 109, 118(1), 190, 191(2), and 191(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act.
According to police, the victim was attacked while unloading sand near a customer’s residence. The accused, a gang of 15, dragged him from the driver’s seat of his vehicle and hacked him to death with sharp-edged weapons before fleeing the scene.
Leaders of the Muslim community staged protests in Mangaluru, demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits.
VHP leader’s arrest
Karnataka BJP has objected to the arrest of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Sharan Pumpwell and warned the Congress-led state government that if the trend of arresting Hindu activists continues, it will have to face the consequences.
Sharan Pumpwell was arrested on Tuesday on charges of calling for a bandh following the murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru. However, the police had to release him after presenting him before a judge, as the court granted him bail.
BJP state president BY Vijayendra stated, “The action taken by Mangaluru police to arrest Vishva Hindu Parishad leader Sharan Pumpwell - allegedly for calling a bandh after the murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru - is highly condemnable.”
“Since the Congress government came to power in the state, Hindus have not been receiving adequate protection. Instead, this government has been intimidating and harassing Hindu activists through the police. Arresting them for trivial reasons and filing false cases seems like an attempt to silence them,” Vijayendra alleged.
He further accused the Congress government of pursuing appeasement politics. “This government, which repeatedly shelters anti-national and jihadi forces, is now targeting Hindu activists and leaders. BJP Karnataka will not tolerate this,” he warned.
“I caution the state government - if such arrests continue, the government alone will be responsible for the consequences,” Vijayendra asserted.
Sharan Pumpwell was arrested by the Kadri police following protests by Muslim community members and leaders, who demanded the arrest of Hindu activists for delivering hate speeches after Suhas Shetty’s murder.
An FIR had been registered against Sharan Pumpwell for calling a bandh to condemn Suhas Shetty’s murder 20 days earlier. Hindu activists questioned the timing of the police action and alleged that the arrest was made to appease the Muslim community.
Following his arrest, hundreds of Hindu activists gathered in front of the police station and demanded his immediate release.