Bengaluru MLA’s House Attacked Over ‘Derogatory Post by Relative’ on Islam

Bengaluru MLA’s House Attacked Over ‘Derogatory Post by Relative’ on Islam

A mob gathered outside the residence of a legislator in northeast Bengaluru late Tuesday, pelting stones and setting ablaze some vehicles, allegedly because they were irked by a derogatory social media post shared by the MLA’s relative.

The incident took place at Kaval Byrasandra in Bengaluru, outside Pulkeshinagar Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s house. The mob alleged that a Facebook post by the MLA’s relative was offensive to Islam and its beliefs.

Following the incident, as police rushed to bring the situation under control, hundreds more gathered and marched to DJ Halli police station, setting vehicles outside the police station on fire, and chanting slogans demanding an FIR and immediate arrest of the perpetrator.

Sources close to Srinivas Murthy said he was not at home when the incident took place. Minutes later, the legislator shared a video on social media, requesting people to maintain peace and harmony

I’m making a request to my Muslim brethren. There is no need to be violent. I will ensure that proper legal action is initiated against the perpetrators. I request you to maintain peace and harmony and I will be with you for this,” he said

Karnataka home minister Basavaraj Bommai said strict action would be taken against the guilty, but no one should indulge in vandalism. “We will investigate the matter thoroughly, whatever the situation is. However, indulging in vandalism is not the solution. Additional forces have been deployed and the cops have been given a free hand to handle the situation,” he said.

“No matter how powerful the perpetrators are, strict legal action will be taken against them. But citizens should refrain from taking the law into their hands,” the minister added 

Chamrajpet MLA B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, who rushed to pacify the protesters outside the police station, assured them a complaint would be lodged soon.

Minutes later, Mufti PM Muzammil of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, a religious leader, addressed the protesters, asking them to refrain from violence. “The FIR has been lodged and the police will arrest him (the perpetrator) tomorrow. He will be punished. It is my request that all of you should keep your emotions under control,” he said. IE