THE Karnataka state committee of CPI(M) has condemned the violence in DJ Halli and KG Halli areas of Bengaluru earlier this month, during which four people were killed and properties worth crores of rupees, including two police stations and the house of the local MLA, were damaged. The Party also condemned the derogatory Facebook post that reportedly triggered the violence on August 11.

The social media post, allegedly by a relative of MLA Akhanda Srinivasamurthy, seems to be part of an organised plot to divert people’s attention from the distress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the failures of the state and central governments, the Party said. This is evident from the antecedents of the person arrested for the derogatory post. The PFI and the SDPI too were waiting for such an opportunity to provoke youths of the minority community. The sequence of incidents shows the complete failure of the state machinery and the police, particularly its intelligence wing in anticipating such a delicate situation and preventing it by handling it with sensitivity.

A CPI(M) delegation visited the riot-hit areas on August 13. S Varalakshmi, K N Umesh, Gowaramma, N Pratap Simha, H N Gopalgowda, N Nagraj, Hanumanth Rao Hawaldar were part of the delegation. It concluded that it is clearly an act of conspiracy hatched by right-wing forces on either side, but the victims are poor residents of the areas. The delegation gathered that the rioters went on rampage from 7 pm to midnight. Two police stations were torched and the houses of the MLA and his brother were vandalised. Petrol bombs were thrown into the MLA’s house. Anyone can simply wonder as to where were the local police.

Complacency on the part of the government in acting against social media hate-mongers and the perpetrators of hooliganism; lack of proper of administration of law and order in the state governed by the BJP; the instigation of PFI-SDPI for their political existence; ill-motive of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar to cash in on it to divert the attention of people from Covid-19 spike; and the state’s failure to provide relief, care and treatment have led to the sorry state of affairs and the riots, the delegation reported.

It may be noted that the previous Facebook posts of the accused include many familiar elements of right-wing social media propaganda of the Sangh Parivar. The CPI(M) appeals to the people to see through the attempts by the BJP and the Sangh Parivar to reap benefits for itself in the upcoming Bengaluru civic body elections from the fallout of the ill-intended FB posting.

The CPI(M) has also appealed to the people to understand the intent of organisations such as the PFI and the SDPI that are trying to establish their political existence by reaping benefits from constantly creating rift between followers of different religions in all possible situations. The CPI(M) has also appealed to the people to reject the divisive policies of these two right-wing forces.

The CPI(M) state committee, in a statement, has called for an independent judicial enquiry, stern action against social media hate mongers, strict punishment to culprits.

The Party also appealed to the people of Karnataka not to heed to rumours and propaganda spread by mischievous elements and maintain peace and harmony.
The CPI(M) demands that state government and the police department should take necessary steps with utmost restraint to ease the situation and maintain law and order. The CPI(M) also demands that all persons and forces disturbing peace and order should be sternly dealt with. Ministers, MLAs and leaders of the ruling BJP should not indulge in issuing irresponsible statements that can aggravate the situation further and display responsibility.

Irresponsible social media posts and provocative statements have already led to the death of four people, injuries to many, and loss of property to the tune of crores of rupees. In such a situation, the CPI(M) appeals to the people of the state to demonstrate utmost restraint to protect peace and harmony.