The tragic killing of Karnataka college student Neha Hiremath by her former classmate Fayaz has ignited a contentious political debate, sparking contrasting viewpoints between the opposition BJP and the ruling Congress party. The BJP has framed the incident as a manifestation of 'love jihad,' alleging religious conversion as a motive, whereas the Congress vehemently denies these claims.
Neha, a 23-year-old Masters of Computer Applications (MCA) student, fell victim to a violent attack by Fayaz within the premises of BVB College in Hubballi. CCTV footage captured the horrifying moment when Fayaz repeatedly stabbed Neha before fleeing the scene. Tragically, Neha succumbed to her injuries inflicted by Fayaz, who was subsequently apprehended by law enforcement authorities.
Niranjan Hiremath, the grieving father of the victim, revealed that Fayaz, a familiar acquaintance to the family, had expressed romantic interest in Neha, which she had rebuffed due to differences in caste and personal preferences. Mr. Hiremath expressed anguish over the murder, attributing it to Fayaz's inability to accept Neha's rejection.
The BJP wasted no time in politicizing the incident, accusing the Congress-led government of negligence in maintaining law and order and highlighting the 'love jihad' narrative. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi condemned the incident as a consequence of religiously motivated coercion, criticizing the Congress for purportedly prioritizing appeasement over governance.
In contrast, the Karnataka government, led by the Congress, refuted allegations of 'love jihad,' asserting that Neha and Fayaz had been involved in a consensual relationship that had soured over time. State Home Minister G Parameshwara reasoned that the tragedy might have stemmed from personal conflicts rather than religious or ideological factors.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar accused the BJP of fear-mongering and politicization, emphasizing the robust law enforcement measures in Karnataka and dismissing claims of impending chaos under BJP rule.
The term 'love jihad,' coined by Hindutva groups, describes the purported phenomenon of Muslim men engaging in relationships with non-Muslim women with the intention of religious conversion.
The BJP's youth wing, ABVP, mobilized protests demanding justice for Neha's untimely demise, with thousands of students participating in demonstrations and calling for a college shutdown in Hubballi.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while assuring the public of a thorough investigation, urged for calm amid heightened tensions. He emphasized the arrest of the accused and directed law enforcement to pursue stringent measures to ensure justice for Neha.
