The Bengaluru Police have arrested 110 people in connection with the violence in Bengaluru’s Muslim-dominated areas over a “derogatory” social media post.
Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s nephew Naveen, who is a Dalit, has been arrested for sharing the post which led to violence Tuesday night. However, some reports on social media are claiming that Naveen had replied to derogatory remarks made by a Muslim against one of the venerated Hindu Gods (Lord Krishna and Lord Ram).
Police said three persons have died and nearly 60 policemen have been injured in the violence.
Curfew has been imposed in DJ Halli and KG Halli police station limits in the wake of violence.
Earlier, Murthy’s house was also vandalised by a mob.
Later, Murthy posted a video on social media appealing people to stop the agitation.
The MLA’s relative claimed that his Facebook account was hacked and he was unaware of the derogatory post.
Speaking at Hubballi, Karnataka BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel smelt conspiracy. He said it is a handiwork of a former MLA.
He neither revealed the legislator’s name, nor the party he belongs to. It looks like a conspiracy because how longs, weapons, stones and other material can be gathered in few minutes to incite violence, he added.
BJP National General Secretary (Org) BL Santhosh also called the violence engineered.
“This is the beauty of India after a Police station was ransacked .. More than 20 vehicles torched . MLAs house gutted. 3 deaths in Police firing. 140 arrests. Is beauty of India an ad attempt post enginneered violence …?” he tweeted in reply to one Muhammad Nuammir who posted a tweet that was attached with a video showing Muslims creating human chain to guard a temple during violence.
That’s the beauty of India. Muslims created human chain to guard a Temple in #Bengaluru during violence. Stay calm make peace #BengaluruViolence,” Nuammir tweeted.
Santhosh also questioned the dead silence of Congress over the incident and flayed the party for playing appeasement politics.
“Dead silence by @INCIndia @INCKarnataka even after their Dalit MLA Sri Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy was attacked , house ransacked yesterday in Bengaluru . Total support for RIGHT TO RIOT …? For them appeasement is the only official party policy,” he tweeted.
Santhosh also flayed Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister and Siddaramaiah for his balancing act by condemning violence perpetrated by Muslims and the accused for social media posts that incited violence.
“This is called DOMBARAATA in Kannada … Balancing act .. !!,” Santhosh tweeted in reply to Siddamaiah’s tweet.
“I condemn both violent incidents that erupted in Kaval Byrasandra & also the social media post that instigated the mob. I humbly request both Hindus & Muslims of the area to stay calm, maintain peace & live in harmony,” Siddaramaiah tweeted.
Celebrated author Vikram Sampath also criticised Siddaramaiah by calling his statement as Monkey balancing. “Why exactly are you appealing to Hindus here to maintain peace, when they have had absolutely no role to play in yesterday’s #bangaloreriots ? Monkey balancing, as always @siddaramaiah Avare ? #Bangalore,” he tweeted.
Others questioned the silence of left-liberal cabal and so-called secular jamaat for their silence over the riots.
Filmmaker and producer Ashoke Pandit expressed his ire by tweeting: “Where are the propagators of #FreedomofExpression? Where is the placard gang? Where is #Anurag #Swara & #MaheshBhatt? Where is #Rajdeep #Barkha #Rubbishkumar & #ShekharGupta? Where are the #UrbanNaxlas? Where are the #Congi’s & #Communists?.”
“Some questions on Bengaluru riots #bangaloreriots 1) Why are so called secularists eg Cong,Owaisi,Swara silent? 2) Is Jai Shri Ram still the “war cry” for them? 3)Will u still defend PFI,Umar,Safoora,Tahir? 4) Is rioting the new ShaheenBagh model eg CAA protests,Bangalore?” tweeted Shehzad Poonawala, a political analyst said.