Schools and colleges in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district of Karnataka have been closed, and Section 144 imposed, yesterday, soon after the death of a Bajrang Dal activist on Sunday night. Supporters of the deceased came out on the streets in anger calling for the prohibitory orders.
On Sunday night, a 23-year-old tailor and Bajarang Dal activist Harsha was allegedly stabbed to death at the Ravi Varma lane in Bharathi colony. Harsha’s sympathisers were caught on camera pelting stones to vent their anger. Although the police denied any connection of the incident with the Hijab row, schools and colleges were nonetheless closed after the violence on the street.
Police registered a case at the Doddapete police station. The victim was attacked by at least four persons before he was taken to the hospital with severe injuries, said police. Further, it said the victim and accused knew each other and suspected that the death was caused by an old rivalry.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai asked to maintain law and order and not fall prey to rumours. He condemned Congress leader Siddaramaiah’s demand for the resignation of Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, who met with the victim’s family at the hospital.
In a tweet in Kannada, he said, “It is heart-breaking to hear of the murder of Harsha, an organization activist, in Shimoga. The investigation is already underway and the police have received a clue. The accused will be arrested soon. I appeal to the people of Shimoga to maintain peace without any tension or provocation. I have instructed senior officials to take precautions to prevent any unpleasant incident.”
Meanwhile, State Rural Development Minister KS Eshwarappa, who is MLA from Shivaganga, accused State Congress Chief DK Shivakumar of instigating the murder by talking about how the tri-colour was replaced by the saffron flag and how “around 50 lakh saffron shawls were ordered from Surat for the anti-hijab protest”. According to Eshwarappa, this encouraged “Muslims goons” to attack the victim.
