Protests Erupt After College Student Stabbed to Death in Hubballi

Neha Hiremath, a 24-year-old student at BVB College in Hubballi, Karnataka, was stabbed to death on campus by Fayaz, a 23-year-old former classmate, on April 18, 2024. The incident has sparked widespread protests demanding justice and capital punishment for the accused.

According to police reports, CCTV footage showed Fayaz stabbing Neha multiple times before fleeing the scene. Neha, who was the daughter of Congress corporator Niranjan Hiremath, died of her injuries. Fayaz was arrested within an hour of the incident and has been sent to judicial custody.

Niranjan Hiremath revealed that Fayaz was an acquaintance who had proposed to Neha, but she had rejected him as they belonged to different faiths. "Fayaz was known to our family. He had proposed to my daughter but she rejected it as we belong to different castes," Hiremath said. He has demanded the death penalty for the accused, calling the incident a case of 'love jihad'.

Why this matters: The brutal murder has ignited a political controversy in Karnataka, with the BJP accusing the Congress-led state government of going slow on the investigation and questioning the law and order situation. The incident has also reignited the debate around 'love jihad', a term used by Hindu right-wing groups to allege a conspiracy by Muslim men to marry Hindu women and convert them to Islam.

The murder has sparked protests by various student groups and organizations, including the BJP's student wing ABVP, demanding justice and severe punishment for the accused. Protests have been reported from various places, with demonstrators calling for capital punishment or an 'encounter' of the accused.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rejected claims of 'love jihad' and stated that the motive was due to 'personal reasons'. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also refuted the BJP's allegations, stating that the law will be applied equally to all. Home Minister G. Parameshwara dismissed the 'love jihad' angle, saying the incident appears to be due to personal reasons based on preliminary investigation.

Amidst the protests and political sparring, Neha Hiremath was laid to rest on April 19 as per Veerashaiva community rituals. Her murder has sent shockwaves across the state, with many demanding swift justice and measures to ensure the safety of women on college campuses. The police have said a thorough investigation is underway to uncover the full details of the case.

Key Takeaways

• Neha Hiremath, 24, murdered by former classmate Fayaz, 23, on college campus.
• Fayaz had proposed to Neha, but she rejected him due to religious differences.
• Incident sparks protests demanding justice and capital punishment for the accused.
• BJP accuses Congress govt of going slow on investigation, alleging 'love jihad'.
• Police investigating, state govt rejects 'love jihad' angle, cites personal reasons.