Mangaluru Murder Sparks Political Storm; Govt Plans Anti-Communal Task Force

Mangaluru: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has strongly criticised the BJP, accusing it of exploiting communal deaths for political gain. His comments follow the brutal killing of Abdul Raheem, a Muslim resident of Koltamajal near Bantwal, in Dakshina Kannada district.

Minister Rao said that law enforcement is working without bias in all recent murder cases in Mangaluru, affirming that the accused will face legal consequences regardless of their religion or influence. He assured that the attackers involved in Raheem’s murder have been identified, and arrests will follow soon.

To prevent communal violence, the state plans to launch a Communal Crime Control Force, which will actively tackle hate crimes in sensitive coastal areas. Police presence has been ramped up, with prohibitory orders in place till May 30.

Raheem, 34, was killed by a mob of 15 while unloading sand. The FIR includes the names of Deepak and Sumit, both known to the victim, and lists charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Protests erupted in Mangaluru, with Muslim community leaders demanding swift justice.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders opposed the arrest of VHP’s Sharan Pumpwell, detained for inciting unrest after Hindu activist Suhas Shetty’s murder. Released on bail, his arrest drew backlash from BJP state chief B.Y. Vijayendra, who accused the Congress government of harassing Hindu leaders and playing vote-bank politics.

He warned the government against further arrests of Hindu activists, blaming it for endangering communal harmony.

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