Politics over Karnataka activist's murder escalates, Shivakumar seeks Eshwarappa's sacking

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar has rubbished BJP leader KS Eshwarappa's allegations that his statements on the national flag had encouraged "Muslim Goons" to murder a Bajrang Dal activist in Karnataka's Shivamogga. Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah demanded the resignation of Home Minister Araga Jnanendra over the incident.

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar on Monday, February 21, denied any connection to the murder of the 23-year-old Bajrang Dal activist on Sunday and sought minister Eshwarappa's sacking. He also dismissed any speculation of the murder being connected to the ongoing hijab row in Karnataka.

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Responding to BJP leader KS Eshwarappa's allegation of having "encouraged Muslim goons" to murder the Bajrang Dal activist with his statement on the Tricolour, DK Shivakumar said: "He [Eshwarappa] doesn't have common sense. he has already violated the Indian Flag Code. A case must be registered against him and he must be sacked. He has brought shame to the country and the national flag," Shivakumar added.

Karnataka minister Eshwarappa on Monday alleged that Muslim goons were involved in the murder of a 23-year-old Bajrang Dal activist, Harsha, in the Shivamogga district on Sunday night. He accused Congress’s DK Shivakumar of “provocating the Muslim goons”.

ALSO READ | Sec 144 in Shivamogga after Bajrang Dal activist's murder, Karnataka minister denies hijab row angle

Speaking on the alleged "provocation", "Though he spoke some nonsense in the assembly, I never spoke on the issue. I did not provoke anyone. I don't want to make it a political issue."

Shivakumar also said: "It [the murder] has nothing to do with the hijab issue. It was the result of personal enmity between two groups. The home minister has issued a statement on this. But the police must thoroughly investigate the incident."