Niranjan Hiremath, a Congress Councillor in Karnataka, attributed his daughter's tragic death to "love jihad" after she was fatally stabbed by her ex-classmate Fayaz Khondunaik at her college. Neha Hiremath, a 23-year-old pursuing a Masters's degree at BVB College in Hubballi, was attacked on campus by Fayaz, who reportedly stabbed her multiple times following her rejection of his proposal.
In a statement, Hiremath expressed anguish over his daughter's murder and questioned the motives behind such acts, specifically mentioning "love jihad." He emphasized the need for stringent action against perpetrators of such crimes and demanded capital punishment for Fayaz.
His remarks have sparked debate amid political tensions, with the BJP alleging a "love jihad" angle to the case and criticizing the state's law and order situation. However, the Congress government has refuted claims of any communal aspect to the incident, stating that Neha and Fayaz were previously in a relationship.
Contrary to his party's stance, Hiremath maintained that his daughter's murder was a result of "love jihad" and urged authorities to swiftly apprehend all suspects involved. He condemned the act and called for strict punishment, emphasizing the need to address cases related to "love jihad."
Fayaz Khondunaik, the accused, was arrested by the police following the incident, which has sparked public outcry and raised concerns about safety and security, particularly on college campuses.
