Neha Hiremath’s murder: Leaders, religious heads meet family

While protests over the brutal murder of student Neha Hiremath continued for the third day in a row at various places across the State seeking severe punishment to the accused Fayaz in the case, religious heads, political leaders including Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar met Neha’s family to console them.

While protests over the brutal murder of student Neha Hiremath continued for the third day in a row at various places across the State seeking severe punishment to the accused Fayaz in the case, religious heads, political leaders including Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar met Neha’s family to console them.

BJP leaders including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, ex-Chief Ministers Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar and ex-Union Minister Basanagouda Patil Yatnal have sought a thorough investigation terming it a case of ‘Love Jihad’ and lambasted the state government for what they have termed as ‘failing law and order situation in the State’.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara has ruled out the love jihad theory but has apologised to the victim’s family for his remark of ‘accidental incident’ that he made on Friday.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told presspersons in Mysuru that the Opposition parties were trying to misuse the incident for political gain. Condemning the incident, he however said it was not a case of love jihad and the government was taking every step to ensure severe punishment for the accused.

Speaking to mediapersons in Bengaluru, Industries Minister M.B. Patil said that the accused deserved capital punishment for the heinous crime.

Hubballi witnessed protests by Veerashaiva Lingayat seers including Fakira Dingaleshwar Swami and Mallikarjun Swami of Murugha Mutt, who sought stringent punishment to the accused.  The seers, particularly Dingaleshwar Swami, expressed displeasure over those politicising the incident. He said BJP should be ashamed for its act of misusing the incident to suit its political needs. He also advised the State government to behave responsibly in handling the case and assuring stringent punishment to the accused.

Protests were held by BJP and Hindutva organisations in various parts including Munavalli, the native town of the accused. Members of ABVP and Sadbhava Vedike also held protests in Hubballi.