'Muslim goons': Eshwarappa blames DK Shivakumar for Karnataka Bajrang Dal activist's murder

Karnataka minister Eshwarappa has alleged that Muslim goons were involved in the murder of a 23-year-old man in Shivamogga district on Sunday night. He said Congress leader DK Shivakumar's statement on the national flag had instigated the murder.

Stirring up another controversy, Karnataka minister Eshwarappa on Monday, February 21, alleged that Muslim goons were involved in the murder of a 23-year-old man in Shivamogga district on Sunday night. He accused Congress’s DK Shivakumar of “provocating the Muslim goons”.

The situation in Karnataka is already volatile with protests over the hijab row in the state and the ongoing HC hearing.

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Eshwarappa said: “Muslim goons have killed him. It happened because of DK Shivakumar’s recent statement that the national flag was removed and a saffron flag was hoisted. DK's provocation encouraged Muslim goons. This goondagiri won't be tolerated.”

Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Monday morning said that the matter was not related to the ongoing hijab row in the state. “But we need to wait for further investigations before arriving at a conclusion,” he said.

Araga Jnanendra also spoke to the family of the deceased, Harsha, who was a tailor, in Shivamogga. The murder occurred at 9:30 pm on Sunday. A special team has been formed to investigate the murder and rapid action force personnel are being deployed.

According to sources, there were a few incidents of stone-pelting and arson after the murder.