Karnataka Bajrang Dal worker murder: What we know so far
The death of a 26-year-old boy, Harsha, in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district on February 20, 2022 has brought Karnataka to a boil, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing Hijab Row in the state. Karnataka State Rural Development Minister KS Eshwarappa has directly pinned the blame on Congress leader DK Shivakumar for the murder of Harsha.
Eshwarappa said that Shivakumar’s statement on February 8 of the National Flag being removed and a saffron flag installed at a college in Shivamogga led to rising tensions in the area. He said that Shivakumar’s provocation encouraged 'Muslim goondas (Muslim goons)' in the area, who he believes committed the murder of the Bajrang Dal worker.
The killing has not only worsened the communal tensions in Karnataka, but can also influence the ongoing Uttar Pradesh (UP) State Assembly Elections. Earlier, the Hijab issue, which was in the limelight since January 1, 2022, led to the splitting of students into two groups. This caused massive commual tension in colleges, which attracted national attention.
The state government closed down schools for three days when the protests spiked. Now, the murder of the Bajrang Dal worker has only heightened worries in the state. The Karnataka state government has closed all schools and colleges in the district for two days to avoid any untoward incident.
Here's what we know so far.
WHO WAS HARSHA?
Harsha was a Bajrang Dal district Prakanda Sahakayadarshi (coordinator). He was a tailor by profession but was actively involved in the the right wing outfit's political endeavours in the district. It is alleged that Harsha put up an anti-hijab post on Facebook. For that, a police complaint against him was registered at the Doddapet Police Station in Karnataka.
THREATS PRIOR TO MURDER
Harsha had been getting threats before his murder. On Sunday (February 20) night, 4-5 goons who came in a car allegedly chased Harsha, stabbed him, and then escaped, News18 reported. The murder took place at Ravivarma Street in Bharathi Colony. He was taken to Meggadi Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
RIGHT WING ACTIVISTS ANGRY
Thousands of right wing workers torched three bikes and one goods vehicle in the Sigehatti district of Karnataka late Sunday night. The local police administration had a tough time bringing the situation under control.
A COMMUNAL TURN
Karnataka Rural Development Minister Eshwarappa linked the death with the provocation by DK Shivakumar. The minister went on to say that 'Muslim goons' in the area were behind this.
Eshwarappa said, "DK's provocation encouraged Muslim goons. This goondagiri won't be tolerated."
However, Karnataka State Home Minister Araga Jnanedra said that he didn't know of anyone particular behind the murder. All he said was that there was involvement of 4-5 people behind the murder and that schools and colleges would be closed for two days in the district.
WHAT HAD DK SHIVAKUMAR SAID?
On February 8, DK Shivakumar had said that right wing workers had removed the National Flag and installed a saffron flag at a college in the district.
However, the local police investigation led by Superintendent of Police BM Laxmi Prasad said that the National Flag wasn’t brought down as alleged by Shivakumar. The local BJP unit had also asked for proof from Shivakumar.
THE IMPACT ON UP ELECTIONS
The murder of a Bajrang Dal worker can have an imapct on the ongoing UP State Assembly Elections. UP votes for the leftover phases on February 23, February 27, March 3 and March 7. The ruling BJP leaders and supporters have already raked up the issue on social media.
BJP leader Kapil Mishra wrote on Twitter that Harsha was killed just because he 'demanded uniform dress code in schools and colleges'.
The communal rhetoric running high in Karnataka is bound to impact the UP elections. Already, the Ahmedabad verdict sentencing 38 accused to death by a special court in Gujarat has found mention in the rallies of political leaders.
Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur even conducted a press conference to link the accused in the Ahmedabad blasts with the Samajwadi Party (SP). PM Narendra Modi in his rally at Hardoi on Sunday, speaking in the light of the Ahmedabad verdict, also attacked the Opposition (Samajwadi Party) of being soft on terrorists.
THE HIJAB ROW
Karnataka has been on the edge since the Hijab row flared up on January 1, 2022. A group of six girl students wearing headscarves weren't allowed to enter classes at a government PU college in Udupi. The students had expressed their grievances in a press conference. The college Principal, however, said that students had backing from 'outside forces' and that students didn’t enter the classroom in a hijabs in 35 years. The protests spread to other towns and colleges.
Several petitions were filed in the Karnataka High Court under Articles 14, 19 and 25 by January 31, 2022. Karnataka High Court heard the issue for the first time on February 8, 2022. The court, passing an interim order, directed the students to not wear any head religious attire inside the classroom.
The Karnataka government cited the 1983 Education Act to justify the ban. The students, however, remained unconvinced. With the hearing is still going on in the Karnataka High Court, the hijab row remains a talking point in the state. The murder of the Bajrang Dal worker has just added fuel to the fire.