By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
Bhatkal: On December 14, 2017, prominent BJP leader Shobha Karandalaje tweeted the following statement via her Twitter handle: “Jihadis tried to rape and murder a girl studying in 9th std near Honnavar. Why is the govt silent about this incident? Arrest those who molested and injured this girl. Where are you CM @siddaramiah?”
On reading the tweet, one would naturally conclude that Muslim men tried to molest a minor girl and that the CM, the police and other officials are silent on this. The truth, however, turns out to be completely different.
In Honnavar’s Magod village, a young girl studying in class 9 was on her way to school in Shamsi. On December 14, the girl complained that two men riding a bike assaulted her and attacked her with knives. She injured her hand trying to defend herself. The girl described one of the attackers as having a beard. The police immediately swung into action and filed a case against the unknown assailants under Sections 603/2017, 342-363-370-307 and also section 34 of the Indian Penal Code. A team was formed under the guidance of IGP (Western range) to investigate and apprehend the assailants.
However, Shobha Karandalaje had to say the following about the incident:
- ‘Jihadis’ exist and live in Karnataka
- ‘Jihadis’ tried to rape a 9th standard girl
- ‘Jihadis’ tried to murder the girl
- The government is silent about this incident
- The government is not taking any action to apprehend the assailants
These comments must not be taken at just face value. It is no secret that coastal Karnataka has been simmering with communal violence since the last few weeks, intensifying after the unfortunate death of a youth named Paresh Mestha. After the BJP took out violent protests and started instigating communal clashes in the region, the state government had handed over the case to the CBI. Despite this, the Sangh Parivar has continued to fan communal flames in the region and in tune with their plans, this incident seemed opportune to capitalise.
Ms Shobha Karandalaje’s tweet was the perfect recipe to instigate people against Muslims. It termed them as ‘Jihadis’ which has become a synonym for terrorists, it alleged that Muslims tried to rape and murder an underage girl, and most importantly, it tried to frame the Congress government saying that it was silent on this issue because the alleged perpetrators of the crime were Muslims. As soon as the news of the attack had spread, Sangh Parivar activists attacked Muslim homes and shops with stones and set a Mosque on fire.
The police, and the victim, have a slightly different version to narrate.
On Sunday, December 17, 2017, Vinayak Patil, the Superintendent of Police (Uttar Kannada) held a press conference and informed media persons that the police had made significant progress in the above-mentioned case. He stated that the incident, as described by the victim earlier, was incorrect.
According to the police investigation, the girl used to travel 8 kilometres from her home reach her high school in Samshi in the forest area. For the past 5-6 months, a youth named Ganesh Ishwar Naik had been stalking the girl and pressurizing her to travel with him on his bike or car which the girl had refused many times. However, Ganesh Ishwar Naik continued stalking her persistently due to which the girl was severely distressed. The girl complained about Ganesh to her mother, who in turn expressed her concerns to the Gram Panchayat and other leaders. The local leaders assured her that they will look into the matter. However, over the next few days, the region got immersed in communal clashes and the girl didn’t attend her classes for several days.
On Wednesday, her friend called and informed her about exams to be held on Friday. As she was already distressed, the news of upcoming exams put even more pressure on her. On Friday morning, she devised a crude plan to escape from the exams and the boy. While on her way to school, she obtained a few thorns from a Lemon bush and tried to harm herself. When her friend noticed the injuries, she tried to help her by buying bandage. However, the bandage strips were small so the girl decided to go the shop and buy a cloth bandage.
When the shop owner saw her hands, he asked her how had she got injured. Stating that he had just seen two men ride a bike just a while ago, he asked whether they had assaulted her. Not knowing what to answer, the girl replied with a yes and news spread that two Muslim men had assaulted a school girl. When she was taken to the hospital, she gave the same statement that two men had assaulted her of which one was sporting a beard.
As soon as the police met with the victim, they took her to the women’s comfort centre and assured her that she was safe. Later on, they asked her to describe in detail what had happened and the victim narrated the whole stalking incident. The victim also recorded her statement in front of the magistrate.
Strong action against stalkers and rumour mongers
Addressing media persons, SP Patil said that a case has been registered against the accused Ganesh Ishwar Naik and his accomplice Santosh. Both have fled the region and are absconding. The SP also said that cases have been filed against 121 people who indulged spreading rumours through social media, and 168 people have been arrested so far on charges of violent incidents. In a strong statement, he said that every arrest was made based on proof and CCTV footage.
The BJP and its sister organisations are well known for making extensive use of social media platforms. Ever since Paresh Mehta’s death, BJP leaders have been making downright false and dangerous allegations to polarize locals against Muslims. Shobha Karandalaje’s tweet mentioned above is a classic case in point. When asked whether any action will be taken against political leaders for spreading rumours, the SP replied that they are moving ahead very carefully. He stated that no one will be allowed to take laws into their hands and anyone found spreading rumours will be dealt with as per the law.