Bagalakote: In a big embarrassment to Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, a victim of a communal clash refused to take Rs. 2 lakh as compensation and threw the money at his vehicle in Bagalakote District on Friday July 15.
The BJP leaders described the incident as the people’s answer to the appeasement politics of the Congress party.
The incident took place during a tour of Siddaramaiah, who represents Badami constituency in the district as the Congress MLA. He had gone to meet the persons injured in a communal clash who were admitted to a hospital in Kerur Town.
The injured persons belonging to the minority community were admitted to the Asheervada hospital in the town. He gave Rs. 2 lakh compensation to the four injured persons. However, the victims and their families refused to take the money and urged him to help improve the law and order situation in the town.
Rajma, the wife of Mohammad Haneef, who was assaulted during a communal clash in Kerur, said she threw the money because she did not want it.
“Hindus and Muslims should live like children of one mother. I can get food, if I tell anyone that I am hungry,” she said.
“Today they will give compensation and go away. My husband can’t work for another year because of the assault. What should we do? Everyone will come seeking votes. No one should indulge in rowdyism. Hindus and Muslims should live together. Why do we need all these conflicts,” Rajma questioned.
When asked what she will do now for the treatment of her husband, she explained that the Anjuman committee is taking care of everything and she is grateful to them.
At the hospital, he handed over Rs 2 lakh as compensation to four injured persons.
Rajma, a family member of the injured person, took the money but said that she wants peace not money. Though Siddaramaiah sitting in his vehicle tried to console her by holding her hand, she did not budge and threw the money at his vehicle.
Meanwhile, the injured persons from the Hindu community who have also been admitted to a hospital in the town, refused to meet Siddaramaiah. The Opposition leader, who was all set to meet them, cancelled his visit at the last minute.
On July 6, Kerur Town witnessed a communal clash following the stabbing of a member of the Hindu Jagaran Vedike. Arun Kattimani was stabbed for objecting to eve teasing. His two friends were also attacked by the miscreants. This led to a clash between the groups and five persons from the Muslim community were injured in the incident.
The police have arrested 18 persons in connection with the incident and are searching for another 15 accused.
