3 arrested for stabbing 2 BJP workers during victory procession; party says ‘Thuglaq era back’

MANGALURU: The Konaje police have arrested three people in connection with the stabbing two BJP workers during the victory procession at Boliyar in Bantwal. the Vijayotsava was organized on the occasion of Narendra Modi taking the oath as Prime Minister for the third time on Sunday.

Harish (41) and Nandakumar (24), both residents of Boliyar, were injured in the incident, while Krishna Kumar was severely beaten up by youths of the minority community. The Konaje police are questioning the arrested attackers.

It is alleged that three BJP workers shouted slogans ‘Bolo Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ while the procession was passing in front of Boliyar Masjid.  Following this, a group of 20-25 Muslim youths chased them on bike to a bar near Boliyar. A clash broke out between them and the youths assaulted the BJP workers. Meanwhile, a group of unknown miscreants suddenly stabbed two people with a knife. Both are currently being treated at a private hospital in Deralakatte.

In video footage of the clash between two groups, three BJP workers can be seen on a bike shouting slogans like ‘Bolo Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ during the victory procession in front of the masjid. Immediately, Muslim youths chased the BJP workers and started an argument in front of the bar, and stabbed them.

The two injured people are out of danger with minor injuries. A case has been registered at Konaje police station in this regard.

Meanwhile, the state BJP lashed out at the Congress government claiming that it feels like the “Tughlak era” is back in Karnataka. Taking to ‘X’, the Karnataka BJP wrote, “It feels like the Thuglak era is back in Karnataka, where shouting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ is no longer safe. The growing hatred for Bharath under @siddaramaiah is deeply alarming. BJP workers Harish Anchan and Nandakumar, who were celebrating PM Modi’s electoral victory and shouting “Bharath Mata ki Jai” in Mangaluru, were brutally stabbed by Aboobakkar, Bashir, Siddik, Monu, and 20 others.”

The BJP further claimed that this heinous act highlights the deteriorating law-and-order situation. “This heinous act highlights the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Karnataka under the Congress government. The rise in violent incidents and unchecked aggression is creating an atmosphere of fear and instability. This is a stark reminder of the increasing violence and chaos, underscoring the urgent need for stronger governance and security measures to protect citizens and maintain peace”, it added.

“Two BJP workers, namely Harish (41) and Nandkumar (24), were allegedly stabbed, while a third one named Krishna Kumar, was assaulted by a group of 20-25 bike-borne individuals under the Konaje police station limits at Boliyar in Karnataka’s Mangaluru. Three BJP workers, while passing through a mosque, allegedly shouted ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ slogans, celebrating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in on Sunday evening. As they (BJP workers) stopped in front of a bar two km ahead of the mosque, the bike-borne individuals who were reportedly following them, picked a fight with them which turned into an altercation. Later, two of the party workers were stabbed while one was assaulted”, said Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal.

The Police Commissioner further added that five accused have been arrested. “Five accused namely — Md. Shakir, Abdul Razak, Aboobakar Siddique, Sawad and Monu — have been arrested. Further investigation is under way”, he said.

Meanwhile, a counter case has also been registered in connection with the aforesaid incident. “Based on the complaint given by P K Abdullah, chief of Boliyar Jumma Masjidi, a case has been registered against individuals who raised provocative slogans in front of the mosque located under Konaje police station limits”, said the police. “Suresh, Vinay, Subhash, Ranjit and Dhananjaya have been named accused in the case”, they added.