BJP blames Congress for killing of Bajrang Dal activist in Shivamogga

|HT|

Politics over the murder of a Bajrang Dal activist in Karnataka's Shivamogga escalated on Tuesday after Bharatiya Janata Party MLA MP Renukacharya blamed the Congress for the killing.

“Congress is behind the murder of Harsha. He was killed because of DK Shivakumar, BK Hariprasad and other Congress leaders. I urge the home minister to hand over the case to NIA,” Renukacharya, who is also the political secretary to chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said. The BJP lawmaker from Honnali also announced ₹5 lakh compensation to the family of 26-year-old Harsha, who was stabbed to death late Sunday evening. Renukacharya's allegations come a day after Karnataka minister KS Eshwarappa also accused the opposition of provoking whom he called ‘Muslim goons', leading to a stern counter from the Congress.

Three people were detained from Bengaluru over the killing of the Bajrang Dal member which triggered violent protests across Shivamogga, which is 250 kilometres from Bengaluru.

Violence erupted during the funeral procession, leaving three injured. Incidents of business establishments owned by Muslims being targeted were also reported across the district.

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