THE BJP and the Sangh Parivar stood thoroughly exposed in spreading communal hatred against Muslim community at Honnavar town in coastal Uttara Kannada district. The saffron brigade made all-out efforts to capitalise on the mysterious death of an 18-year old youth Paresh Mesta, whose body was found on December 8 in a tank in Honnavar town. Paresh was missing since December 6 following a clash between two communities after an accident; and preceded by a skirmish at Chandavar in the taluk on the eve of Hanuma Jaynathi-Eid celebrations.

‘DEAD BODY POLITICS’

The saffron team waiting for an opportunity to foment communal trouble, grabbed this opportunity. It started the vicious propaganda that it was a murder perpetrated by jihadis. They spread provocative messages on social media claiming that a pro-Hindutva activist was killed by the jihadis in inhuman ways. They said Paresh, belonging to a fishers community, was a ‘Hindu organisation’ member, a claim which was stoutly denied by his father.

The issue was utilised by the Sangh Parivar to carry out an instant attack on minority community people in the town and spread violence elsewhere in Uttara Kannada district such as Kumta and Sirsi.

BJP leaders came out openly and helped the saffron brigade activists by making inflammatory statements in the media. Some among them also visited the volatile town to inflammate the communal fire further.

Union minister Anant Kumar Hegde and MP Shobha Karandlaje were in the forefront in making abusive statements, rousing religious sentiments of the people. Apparently encouraged by the highly irresponsible talks by them and other leaders of the BJP including another BJP MP Pratap Simha, the provoked saffron brigade members went to the extent of posting derogatory remarks against the deputy commissioner and torching the vehicle of concerned inspector general of police (IGP).

‘Dead Body Politics’ that involves - unleashing violent communal agitations over death of an unknown or a saffron brigade member, claiming that the dead is killed by Islamic fundamentalists, accusing the state government of inaction/cover-up and demanding CBI enquiry – is a new form of communal politics invented by the BJP in the state in the last few years. Many times it has been employed successfully by the BJP. Many such cases have also exposed the BJP, when it was found that the ‘murder’ was either due to business rivalry or ‘revenge’ against dead for his criminal actions or simply nothing to do with his politics.

The intention of the Sangh Parivar was clear from the fact when it did not desist from making inflammatory remarks even after the interim FSL report and handing over of the case to the CBI by the Karnataka state government. The FSL report has said the youth’s death was natural, and even if he was murdered there were no signs of barbaric torture as claimed by the Hindutva protagonists.

SHAH FORMULA

The Honnavar events and the developments there after in several parts of the coastal district cannot be seen as an isolated incident. There is lukewarm response from people to BJP’s 75-day “Parivartana Yatra”, wherein it was supposed to expose anti-people policies of the Congress government and present BJP alternatives. Even at the inauguration of the yatra in Bangalore, embarrassed Shah had to speak to more than half empty-chairs. Shah has reportedly told the BJP workers that more ‘militant’ demonstrations are to be organised.

The video in which Mysore MP Pratap Simha stated that Shah has directed the youth wing of the party to rake up the issues and proceed with agitations that “should result in firing teargas shells or lathi-charge and large number of arrests’, went viral revealing the Shah formula for Karnataka . After Shah’s visit to Karnataka recently, the state has witnessed several incidents involving BJP and other outfits creating troubles in accordance with Shah formula. Events surrounding Tipu jayanti, Hanuma jayanti, Datta jayanti at Bababudangiri and so on present ample proof of the Sangh Parivar’s thirst to incite communal tension in view of the fast approaching assembly elections in the state. Instead of fighting for the cause of the people, the saffron brigade is banking on communal polarisation to take advantage in the forthcoming polls.

The inclusion of Anant Kumar Hegde by Narendra Modi in his cabinet was seen as a ploy to give boost to rabid communal elements and he is proving that. Union minister of skill development, Anant Kumar Hegde appears to be very skillful in inciting communal tensions by provocative speeches. Already involved in goondaism by assaulting a doctor and many earlier criminal cases, Anant Kumar is set up as ‘model’ for other BJP leaders to follow. He is being considered as a possible “Yogi Adityanath of Karnataka’;other BJP leaders are competing with him in provocative actions. Mangaluru BJP MP Nalin Kumar Katil’s statement some time ago that he will lit fire to whole Dakshina Kannada, RSS leader Ramachandra Yadake’s call (at Belagavi on December 17) “to get ready to respond to murders with murders” and such other statements and acts do not augur well for the peace of Karnataka which is well-known for communal amity.

FAILURE OF CONGRESS

Congress has failed on both counts - in taking stringent administrative measures and to fight politically BJP’s new offensive of “Shah Formula” and “Deadbody Politics”. Congress has been displaying soft-Hindutva in Karnataka, assuming that speaking and standing up for minorities is politically damaging and losing ‘Hindu’ votes. Minority fundamentalist organisations by taking advantage of the situation are gaining support from minorities, particularly youth.

CPI(M) DEMAND

A delegation of the CPI(M) led by state secretary GV Sriram Reddy met home minister Ramalinga Reddy in Bengaluru and submitted a memorandum urging stringent action against the forces inciting communal trouble in Uttara Kannada district.

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Harmony Walk in Dakshina Kannada

While Uttara Kannada district was burning, in contrast Dakshina Kannada saw a historic “Harmony Walk”. On December 12, more than 3000 people walked 24 km stretch in Bantwal taluq, a communal hotspot earlier this year. The walk was led by state minister and MLA of the area Ramanath Rai, CPI(M) state secretary GV Shrirama Reddy, CPI(M) district secretary Vasant Achary, Prakash Raj, outspoken multi-lingual actor among others. The walk was jointly organised and supported by Congress, CPI(M), CPI, Dalit and other mass orgnaisations, social movements, progressive individuals. Leaders released pigeons and peace balloons at a brief inaugural function before the walk began.