Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, July 27: Massive protests have erupted in several parts of Karnataka after a BJP youth wing worker was hacked to death in Dakshin Kannada district on Tuesday night which investigations revealed could have the “Nupur Sharma connection.”
The slain Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader Praveen Nettaru is learnt to have made a post in support of the beheaded Udaipur tailor Kanhaiyalal. In a Facebook post Nettaru had written about a “poor tailor” being beheaded and threats to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the killers. He had also attacked the Congress, which is in power in Rajasthan.
The post was made on June 29, a day after the news of Kanhaiyalal’s murder surfaced. The tailor was killed in broad daylight in Udaipur by two cleaver-wielding men, who chopped his head off. The assailants later recorded a video “boasting” of killing Kanhaiyalal over a social media post in support of Nupur Sharma who had adversely commented against Prophet Mohammad.
Members of the BJP’s youth wing in many parts of Karnataka have started mass resignations from the outfit, saying that the BJP-led state government had failed to protect the lives of party workers. Visuals of protesters surrounding state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel’s car and heckling him have gone viral.
According to police, the motorcycle-borne killers attacked Nettaru while he was returning home on his bike after shutting his poultry shop. Local residents dialled police as the killers left Nettaru bleeding on the ground. Police rushed the 32-year-old man, his clothes drenched in blood, to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Six police teams have been formed to track down the killers, and 15 people have been taken into custody for questioning, police said. Three teams have been sent to neighbouring Keral, and Madikeri and Hassan.
The murder has sparked protests in Bellare and Sullia, with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad calling for a bandh. On Wednesday morning, hundreds joined in as his body was taken to his home. Some right-wing outfits have alleged that Popular Front of India and Social Democratic Party of India are behind Nettaru’s murder.
District police chief Rushikesh Sonanay has said restrictions on public gathering have been imposed due to tension in the area. “Three assailants had come on a bike. We have information that the bike had a Kerala registration number. We are scanning CCTV footage for clues,” he said. Deputy Commissioner, Mangaluru, Rajendra, said the matter is being thoroughly investigated. “I spoke to the family regarding the autopsy and the funeral. We will forward the family’s requests to the government.”
Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai has strongly condemned the attack and assured a speedy investigation. He has said those behind the heinous act would be arrested soon and punished as per law.
Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said the crime spot was close to the Kerala border and police were in touch with the neighbouring state’s police to make a headway into the probe. “It is natural that there will be anger over losing a young man, but I request people to maintain peace,” the home minister said.
Honnali MLA MP Renukacharya on Wednesday demanded an ‘encounter’ of the culprits. Renukacharya also threatened to resign if the state government failed to take action in the matter. The MLA said protection of Hindu workers was more important to him than power.
Security has been stepped up in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts to prevent any law and order situation. Most shops and hotels in the area are shut. Some schools have also declared a holiday in view of the tension in the area.
