Mangaluru: Dalit activists have called for a comprehensive, unbiased investigation into all communal-related murders in Dakshina Kannada district over the past decade.
Sadashiva Padubidri, district convenor of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (Swabhimani Prof B Krishnappa Faction), addressed a press meet on Thursday, urging the state government to initiate a high-level inquiry under the supervision of a sitting or retired High Court judge. He said the investigation must uncover the individuals involved, the organisations backing them, and the motives driving these acts.
He stressed that the Chief Minister, Home Minister, and police officials must ensure such killings—motivated by communal hatred or revenge—do not continue. “For years, vested interests have incited communal hatred, causing divisions and unrest in society. Their provocative rhetoric pushes poor and middle-class individuals into violent paths—both as victims and perpetrators,” he stated.
Sadashiva cited several names of those killed allegedly in retaliatory or communal violence, including Prashanth Poojary, Deepak Rao, Sharath Madiwala, Masood B, Praveen Nettaru, Mohammed Fazil, Ashraf, Suhas Shetty, and Abdul Rahiman. While people suspect communal motives, he noted that only the murders of Praveen Nettaru and Suhas Shetty were handed over to the NIA.
He questioned how Suhas Shetty, also an accused in the murder of Dalit youth Kirthi, could be labelled a Hindutva leader, and criticized the selective narrative that favors one side. “Justice must be blind to caste or religion,” he asserted.
Kirthi’s father Sanjeeva, along with activists Saronjini Bantwal, Raghu K Ekkaru, and Krishnananda D, were also present at the event.
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