Anushka Pathak – Mumbai Uncensored, 22th February 2022
In another sign of a growing threat to civil society and fundamental rights from religious extremists, a 26-year-old Bajrang Dal activist Harsha was stabbed to death in Karnataka’s Shivamogga amid the Hijab row going on in schools and colleges.
As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges in the city limits will remain shut for two days.
“A group of four-five youth murdered him. I don’t know of any organization being behind this murder. Law and order is under control in Shivamogga. As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges in city limits have been closed for two days,” Home minister Araga Jnanendra said to the reporters.
The brutal murder in the garb of controversy behind allowing hijab or burqa inside government educational institutes has increased tensions in Karnataka.
The 26-year-old social activist Harsha was actively campaigning for secular uniforms in educational institutes and was murdered for a social media post asking Hijab ban in schools.
The state’s rural development minister KS Eshwarappa said that the youth was murdered by ‘Muslim extremists’.
The police have arrested 3 people on Monday (February 21) in connection to the case. It has come to light that a total of 5 people were involved in the gruesome attack.
Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, while speaking about the matter, informed, “We have arrested 3 people. As per my information, 5 people are involved in this murder.”
As per a report, one of the accused was identified as Qasif. He and 2 others were arrested by the police on Monday (February 21). The police informed that a search for 2 other accused was underway using information sourced from one of the men arrested.
During his interrogation at the Doddapete Police Station, Qasif confessed that he came in a car along with four others and attacked Harsha when he was drinking tea at a canteen on Sunday night. After attacking him with sharp weapons, the men fled the crime scene. The other two accused were taken out of Shivamogga for further investigation.
