The nation is once again embroiled in debate over the contentious issue of Love Jihad following the gruesome murder of a Karnataka corporator’s daughter. Neha Hiremath, a 23-year-old first-year student of Master of Computer Applications, was stabbed seven times by Fayaz Khondunaik, a former classmate, in Hubbali. Police suspect that Khondunaik killed her because she rejected his advances.
During interrogation, Khondunaik claimed that he and Hiremath had been in a relationship, but she had been avoiding him lately. Despite the severity of the incident, the Congress party has been accused of attempting to downplay it, labeling it as a personal conflict.
In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has highlighted the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, with Union Minister and BJP candidate for Dharwad Lok Sabha, Pralhad Joshi, joining the chorus. Joshi criticized the Congress government, alleging a complete breakdown of law and order and urging Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to refrain from minority appeasement politics.
However, Karnataka’s Home Minister G Parameshwara refuted claims of a “love jihad” angle to the case for the time being. However, the victim’s father, Niranjan Hiremath, also referred to the crime as a “Love Jihad” case.
Hiremath, a Congress corporator, accused the accused of plotting to “trap his daughter.” He stated to the media, “The gang had conspired for a long time. They had planned either to trap her or to execute her. They have been threatening her in that backdrop. However, the girl had not heeded to their threats.”
He expressed disbelief at attempts to label the murder as a personal conflict, emphasizing the broader societal implications. “The whole state and country witnessed what happened to my daughter. If they say that it is personal, what is personal in this? Are they my relatives?” he added, underlining the gravity of the situation and demanding justice for his daughter.
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