BJP workers nationwide were jubilant in the backdrop of Narendra Modi taking oath as Prime Minister for the third time on 9 June. But the joyous moment turned violent in Mangaluru, where a Muslim mob stabbed three BJP workers. Currently, Konaje police have arrested five people in connection with the case. The BJP workers were reportedly stabbed for shouting ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ slogans. The injured victims were rushed to a hospital in Deralakatte, where one is reported to be in stable condition, while the other is undergoing surgery at K S Hegde Hospital. Doctors have stated that they are out of danger.

The altercation took place during a victory procession organized by the Boliyar BJP gram samiti to celebrate the swearing-in of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister and the recent electoral victory of Capt Brijesh Chowta in the Lok Sabha elections. The procession route stretched from Chelur to Dharmanagara via Boliyar. According to police, three BJP followers were passing in front of the Boliyar mosque when they allegedly shouted ‘provocative slogans’.

This incited a group of 20-25 Muslim youths on motorcycles, who then followed them. The three BJP followers stopped in front of a bar about two kilometres from the mosque, and the Muslim youths followed them there. A confrontation ensued, during which all three BJP workers were attacked, and two were stabbed.

The stabbed BJP workers have been identified as Harish (41), son of Mutappa Poojary from Innoli, and Nandakumar (24), son of Kotiyappa from Innoli Padavu. The third BJP worker, Krishna Kumar, also from Innoli and the son of Kotiyappa Poojary, was beaten and has since filed a complaint. On Monday, Konaje Police arrested five accused Muslim youth in connection with the stabbing of the BJP workers. Shakir (28), Abdul Razak (40), Abubakar Siddique (35), Sawad (18), Hafeez (24) were arrested. 

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao responded that the legal action would not be interfered with and that strict action would be taken. Police have already arrested three or four people. He said that the action will be conducted impartially and there will be no political interference. “There is no forgiveness when the law is taken into hand. Those who took the law into their hands should be prosecuted”, he said. He added that government politicians should be neutral when such an incident happens. BJP MP-elect Captain Brijesh Chowta, BJP district president Satish Kumpala, Mangaluru City North MLA Bharat Y Shetty, and Mangalore City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath condemned the incident and appealed for strict action against the culprits.

Today (11 June 2024), Commissioner Anupam Agarwal held a press conference regarding the stabbing of the BJP workers during the victory parade and said, ‘Based on the CCTV video, 20 people have been identified, and a total of six people have been arrested in connection with the case. He said that the investigation is going on through three teams and that the process of arresting others is ongoing. He then clarified that slogans like ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ were indeed chanted, but they were not the cause for provocation.

Instead, it was “objectionable” slogans related to Pakistan, shouted near autostand during the procession, which became known to the community through social media. This led to some individuals from the Muslim community becoming agitated and attacking the BJP workers, the Commissioner explained at the press conference. “In the coming days, we will call leaders of all religions in all the stations and hold a peace meeting”, he said. He also said that they are monitoring social media for inflammatory posts. According to an article by the Deccan Herald, the slogans raised are said to have allegedly referred to Muslims as Pakistanis and hurt their sentiments.

Senior RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat and his wife visited BJP workers in the hospital on Monday (10 June). Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta also visited the injured at the hospital. The injured BJP workers are reportedly in stable condition and are receiving the necessary medical care.

Mangalore City North BJP MLA Bharath Y Shetty expressed outrage and stated that state-sponsored Jihadism is being attempted to stab and kill those who shouted slogans for Bharat Mata. He added that the Hindu society is no longer a mute spectator. Still, the government is forcing the Hindus to take the law into their own hands, and the state government would be directly responsible for future disasters.

Meanwhile, Vishwa Hindu Parishad provincial Joint Secretary Sharan Pumpwell visited the hospital and enquired about the health of the victims. Speaking to the media, he said that the Boliyar incident is an example of Jihadi activities being undertaken actively in Ullala. BJP district president Satish Kumpala, Yuva Morcha constituent president Murali Konaje, and Bajrang Dal divisional coordinator Puneet Attavar were present.

In several states across Bharat, BJP workers and supporters have been attacked for merely exercising their democratic choice.

(Featured Image Source: Times Now)