Congress Under Fire Over Love Jihad Allegations following Neha Hiremath Murder in Karnataka, BJP vs Congress

Neha Hiremath, a 23-year-old first-year student of Master of Computer Applications, was stabbed seven times by a former college classmate, Fayaz Khondunaik, in Hubbali. Authorities suspect that the motive behind the murder was rejection of his advances by Neha.

During interrogation, Fayaz claimed that they had been in a relationship, but Neha had started avoiding him. This incident has sparked a political controversy, with the ruling Congress party portraying it as a personal issue, while the opposition BJP has criticized the law and order situation in the state.

Union Minister and BJP candidate Pralhad Joshi raised concerns about a potential “love jihad” angle in the case, but Home Minister G Parameshwara refuted this claim. The victim’s father, Niranjan Hiremath, a Congress corporator, alleged that the accused had planned to trap his daughter, leading to widespread media attention and public outrage.

The situation escalated as Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi criticized the Congress government for failing to uphold moral and ethical standards in schools and ensuring justice for the victim. In response, the Congress defended the state’s law and order and accused the BJP of attempting to instill fear among voters by suggesting the imposition of Governor’s rule.

Meanwhile, right-wing activists protested outside the police station in Hubbali and called for severe punishment for the accused, with similar demonstrations reported in other locations.