Mysuru : Members of the ABVP and Hindu activists on Saturday staged protests across Karnataka condemning the murder of MCA student Neha Hiremath and alleged “love jihad”. They also demanded capital punishment for the accused, Fayaz Kondikoppa.
Love jihad is a conspiracy theory pushed by Hindu extremists, which alleges that Muslim men woo Hindu women, trap and convert them.
High drama prevailed at the residence of Home Minister, Dr G Parameshwara when members of ABVP tried to lay siege to the house. The protestors burnt the photos of the accused Fayaz and demanded that he should be hanged.
On Thursday, Fayaz attacked 23-year-old Neha, a Masters of Computer Applications (MCA) student, on the campus of BVB College in Hubballi. CCTV footage saw Fayaz repeatedly stabbing Neha before he ran away. According to the police, Fayaz, who was later taken into custody, repeatedly stabbed the woman till she died.
Karnataka CM’s statement
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the murder of MCA student Neha Hiremath is not a case of “love jihad”.
“I strongly condemn the act. The killer was arrested immediately. This is not a case of love jihad. The government will make sure that stringent punishment is being given to the killer,” the Chief Minister told media persons in Mysuru.
He said that it is unfortunate to use one’s death for political reasons.
“The case is being politicised unnecessarily. The protests will not affect the government,” the Chief Minister said.
Neha, the daughter of a Congress corporator in Hubballi, was stabbed to death inside the college campus in Hubballi city by Fayaz Kondikoppa on Friday.
However, other students caught Fayaz and handed him over to the police.
(with inputs from IANS)