Amit Shah Slams Congress Over Law and Order in Karnataka Amid Councillor's Daughter Murder

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the Congress party's handling of law and order in Karnataka following the murder of a councillor's daughter in Hubballi. Shah made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Tejasvi Surya in Bangalore South ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The murder of 23-year-old Neha Hiremath, the daughter of a Congress councillor, has sparked a political war of words between the BJP and Congress. The National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the Congress party's student wing, held a protest outside the BVB college campus in Hubballi over the murder. The NSUI has requested that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and has warned the Karnataka government that they will wage a fierce struggle if justice is not delivered soon.

The BJP has accused the Congress of deliberately misleading the probe to protect its 'vote bank' and alleged 'love jihad' in the case, pointing to the 'deterioration of law and order' in the state. The Congress, on the other hand, has tried to project the incident as having a 'personal angle' and claimed that the BJP is 'politicising' the incident ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

During his campaign event in Bommanahalli for sitting BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, Shah attributed the state government's alleged failure in law enforcement to the inaction of the Chief Minister and criticized the Congress for its perceived support of extremist organizations. Surya highlighted security measures implemented in the region, including the establishment of an NIA office in Bengaluru and the Safe City project, which he credited with enhancing local counter-terrorism capabilities.

Why this matters: The murder case has become a flashpoint in the political battle between the BJP and Congress in Karnataka ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It highlights the contentious issue of law and order in the state and the alleged politicization of crimes based on communal lines.

Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra criticized the Congress government's handling of law and order in the state following Neha Hiremath's murder, saying the safety of women is under threat in Karnataka. He demanded that the case be handed over to the CBI for a thorough investigation and called for strict action against the killer to instill confidence among the people. The Congress General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge, Randeep Singh Surjewala, visited the victim's house and assured the family that the accused will be punished at the earliest, and that the state government has handed over the case to the CID and will ensure a speedy trial in a special court.

Key Takeaways

• Amit Shah criticized Congress over law and order after Neha Hiremath's murder in Karnataka.
• NSUI demanded CBI probe into the case and warned of protests if justice is delayed.
• BJP accused Congress of protecting 'vote bank' and alleged 'love jihad', Congress denied charges.
• Karnataka BJP chief demanded CBI probe, Congress leader assured speedy trial in special court.
• The murder case has become a political flashpoint between BJP and Congress ahead of 2024 polls.