BJP demands strict action against perpetrators of Karkala rape case

Muslim leaders hold a press conference condemning the rape of a Hindu woman by a Muslim youth in Karkala on Saturday, August 24. | Photo: UMESH S. SHETTIGAR

BJP leaders on Saturday, August 24, condemned what they called a gang rape of a Hindu woman, saying that Karnataka is facing a situation similar to that of West Bengal, with the government utterly failing to maintain law and order in the state.

Karkala MLA and former minister V. Sunil Kumar said in a statement that two-three young men from another community raping a Hindu woman was a pre-planned event and there seemed to be a system behind such incidents. The substance was procured before the offence was committed.

The government should take strict action against the accused, the MLA demanded. The BJP should also launch a massive awareness campaign to keep the community alert about possible ‘Love Jihad’ attempts and other incitement methods being used against Hindus. Young women should be sensitized to avoid falling prey to incitements, he said.

Tackling drug mafia

Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta said the incident exposed the failure of the state government to maintain law and order and demanded immediate steps to curb the drug mafia. The incident has brought shame to the entire state and shows that the drug menace has crossed all limits on the coast.

Capt. Chowta said in a statement that there was no protection for Hindu women under the Congress rule. The Home Ministry should ensure that the accused were given maximum punishment.

D. Vedavyasa Kamath, Mangaluru Cty South MLA, demanded death penalty for the rape accused and alleged that corruption, murders, robberies, rapes etc. have become commonplace in Karnataka during the Congress rule. Unfortunately, in most cases, the Hindu community is the victim. With the government itself indulging in appeasing politics, the ‘jihadi’ forces have no fear of law, he alleged.

Muslim Okkoota condemns the incident

The Karkala taluk unit of Udupi Okkoota Muslim district said the rape of a Hindu woman in Karkala was a heinous crime against humanity and demanded strict action against the accused.

Muslim leader Mohammed Sharief told reporters in Karkala on Saturday that the accused Altaf was not a true Muslim as he had never visited a mosque. Hindus and Muslims lived in harmony in Karkala while the rape had left a black mark on the Muslim community. The community would never support such incidents. He said the accused had also been beaten up by the public earlier for indulging in similar activities.

Mr. Sharief said the incident highlighted the presence of the drug mafia in the area and demanded that the police tackle it. He congratulated the police for quickly arresting the suspect and said that the community lawyers were not allowed to represent the suspect in court.

Karkala taluk president of Okkoota Mohammed Gouse, Karkala Muslim Jamath president Ashpaqa Ahmed, Muslim Federation president Shabeer Ahmed and others were present.