Shivamogga, which is around 250 km from the state capital Bengaluru, had recently seen disruption in some colleges over the hijab row. A very young Bajrang Dal activist was stabbed to death in Shivmogga, Karnataka. Harsha was an active Bajrang Dal worker who had recently shared photos of students wearing saffron shawls. According to Harsha, Muslim people in the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its students wing the Campus Front of India (CFI) were supporting the wearing of hijab and creating problems between Hindus and Muslims in the society. Harsha was protesting against these Muslims. His family members have said that he had been receiving threat calls and a FaceBook group named ‘Mangalore Muslims’ wanted to kill him. 

Harsha was allegedly stabbed to death by unknown assailants at around 9.30pm on 20 February, 2022. A horrific video has also emerged, showing Harsha still alive and lying on a footpath after being hacked has emerged from Shivamogga. Though he was taken to Mc Gann district hospital, Harsha died. Photographs showed the young man with deep cuts from possibly a sword on his abdomen revealing the insides of his stomach. It is suspected that a group of Islamists brutally murdered Harsha. After the incident, some supporters of Harsha came out on the streets and vented their anger. Television footage showed them throwing stones but it was not clear what their target was. Several Hindu organizations are protesting and the situation in Shivmogga tense. On Monday 21 February, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra rushed to Shivamogga and met the victim's family. The minister said, “Three people have been arrested in the case. Their interrogation is underway so I cannot comment on who they are yet. We have a suspicion that there is a link to the People’s Front of India (PFI). The investigation is going on.” Section 144 has been implemented in Shivmogga and orders have been given to shut all the schools and colleges.

Tags

• Bajrang
• Dal
• Shivmogga
• karnataka
• dead
• harsha

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