Bengaluru (Bangalore), February 22, 2022; Muslim homes and properties were attacked by Hindutva RSS,BJP and BanjrangDal terrorists while Police remained mute spectators of the attacks in Indian souther disturbed state Karnataka. The Hindutva attacked the Muslims and damaged properties in Shivamogga town of Karnataka . Tensions had started brewing in the town soon after the news of the murder of a 26-year-old member of Bajrang Dal, a Hindu extremist outfit, came in. According to local sources in the know of the situation, Muslim homes, shops and vehicles were damaged in stone pelting by the Hidutva mob.What was ironical about the violence is that it has been carried out against Muslims to avenge the murder of the Hindu youth whereas there is no evidence to suggest the involvement of any Muslim in the case. “Even though Muslims have no role in the murder, these people are attacking their homes,” lamented Mansoor.
Though Hindutva supporters and some media reports linked the murder with the head scarp/Hijab row. It was BJP Minister for Panchayat Raj and RD K S Eshwarappa who tried to give a communal colour to the murder when he said, “We will not allow this Muslim goonda-giri in the state.” Mansoor contended that if not for the statements of the minister, the attacks would not have targeted against Muslims.
Mansoor, a local from Shivamogga town disclosed while speaking to media men said, the hindutva crowd attacked our homes and vehicles. They (the Hindutva) pelted stones on Muslim establishments, damaging homes and parked vehicles. One house has been completely burnt.”
As per initial reports, Muslim localities such as Azad Nagar and Nalbandwadi were targeted by the Hindutva mob.
Talking to the media, a Muslim woman, whose name was not revealed, said that around 300 Hindutva goons chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ entered in her area and started attacking their properties.“They were uprooting our flags and set everything on fire. They even barged into our houses. They set on fire four vehicles and targeted four houses. They pelted stones after climbing on the houses,” she said.
Waquar Hasan@WaqarHasan1231 in a tweet said, A mob of 300 people attacked a Muslim area of #Shivmogga,set their properties on fire and barged into their houses. The mob had gone berserk after killing of a Bajrang Dal member in the district.
According to News18 Urdu, locals approached the police, but they delayed and reached the spot well after the violence and arson was over.
Another Muslim woman said that her bike was burnt down so in such manner that it is unrecognizable. “What happened (with Harsha) was wrong. But what was our crime…the police was always present around the area earlier. But when the arson happened, the police was not present,” she lamented.
Nikhila Henry, a journalist, shared a video clip of a mob with saffron flags torching and pelting stones at the shops belonging to Muslims in the presence of police. The police can be seen standing there as mute spectators.
Attacks reported on business establishments believed to be owned by a section, in Shivamogga, in the aftermath of Bajrang Dal member Harsha’s murder. Police presence is beefed up in the area. @TheQuint
Republic TV Kannada broadcast a rally of people in which mobs holding saffron flags in their hands can be seen pelting stones on the houses.
A Muslim driver was also attacked in Shivamogga. He could hardly speak about what happened to him with blood stains on his chin as proof of attack on him. A holy site of Muslims have been completely damaged and burnt in Sigehatti, Shimoga, the media reports added.
Meanwhile, leader of the Opposition and former chief minister of the state Siddaramaiah continued to maintain his position in support of the Muslim girls as he reiterated that scarp/hijab row is a conspiracy of the BJP to prevent Muslim girls from getting education.“The code of uniform should have been prescribed at the beginning of the session. Doing that in the month of January-February was deliberate and intentional,” he added. agencies