Suhas Shetty’s final rites held amid grief and chants in Karinjabail

Kavalmudooru, Bantwal: The final rites of Suhas Shetty, the Hindu activist murdered in Bajpe on May 1, were held on Friday afternoon with an outpouring of sorrow and solidarity. The cremation took place in a field near his ancestral home in Pulimajalu, Karinjabail, Kavalmudooru village, as thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects.

Massive turnout for farewell

Suhas’s mortal remains arrived at his ancestral home around noon. The village witnessed an overwhelming turnout of Hindu activists, Sangh Parivar members, and local residents. Slogans filled the air as the procession made its way to the cremation site.

Prominent Hindu leaders and elected representatives were present, including VHP State Secretary Milind Parande, RSS ideologue Dr Prabhakar Bhat Kalladka, Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja, Mangaluru North MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty, and Moodbidri MLA Umanath Kotian. They offered condolences and support to the bereaved family.

Funeral led by Bantwal MLA

Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik Ulippadiguttu personally coordinated the arrangements for the funeral. In the morning, he arranged for a JCB to widen the narrow access road leading to the family’s home in anticipation of the large crowds.

A glimpse into Suhas Shetty’s life

Suhas Shetty’s roots lay in both Bantwal and Bajpe. His mother, Sulochana Shetty, hails from Pulimajalu, while his father, Mohan Shetty, belongs to Bajpe. The family once lived in KR Nagar, Mysuru, where Suhas completed his pre-university education.

The family later returned to Dakshina Kannada and settled in Bajpe. Suhas was based in Udupi, where he was involved in business and was actively associated with the Bajrang Dal.

He had visited his family home just days earlier and had offered prayers at the Karinja temple. He also attended a family wedding in Belthangady before spending April 30 with his parents. He was expected to return on May 1—the day he was murdered in Bajpe.

Temple and family ties

Suhas had deep ties with the Karinja temple. His maternal uncle, Chandrashekar Shetty Pulimajalu, is a former president of the temple’s management committee. The family regularly gathered at their ancestral home in Pulimajalu for religious observances, and this site was chosen for the cremation.

Mother’s heartbreak and plea for justice

His mother, Sulochana Shetty, who is battling health issues, considered Suhas the pillar of their family. Speaking in grief, she revealed that the family had previously expressed concern over threats to Suhas’s safety. She made a tearful plea for justice, urging authorities to ensure those responsible for her son’s murder are punished.

The final rites concluded at approximately 3:30 PM in the presence of family, friends, activists, and political leaders.