Mumbai, February 26: Former Karnataka Minister B. Shriramulu has demanded an NIA investigation following recent violence in Bagalkot. He has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting a review of the law and order situation in Karnataka.
Shriramulu alleged that public processions and sensitive areas frequently experience conflicts. He noted a rise in attacks on Hindu youths and activists associated with Hindu organizations, including intimidation and involvement in counter-cases.
In his letter, he stated, “This request is not intended to bias any investigation. Its purpose is to highlight preventable patterns and to seek the central government’s constitutional duty under Article 355 for standard prevention, investigation monitoring, and prosecution tracking to protect states from internal disturbances.”
Referring to the Bagalkot incident, he mentioned, “On February 20, during the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti procession in old Bagalkot, reports of stone-pelting emerged as the procession passed through an area. Following this, police took action and made arrests. The district administration has extended prohibitory orders in old Bagalkot until February 28, issuing notices to a large number of people and deploying security forces in identified sensitive areas. This incident highlights the need for more standardization and accountability in event-route management, preemptive restrictions when necessary, and intelligence-based stress reduction.”
He expressed concern over the targeting of youths and activists linked to Hindu organizations and the complaints of ‘cross cases.’ Shriramulu claimed, “With the rise in incidents of tension, there is growing concern, especially among families of victims associated with Hindu organizations, that youths are being targeted for physical attacks. They face cross cases even when they claim to be victims.”
He cited examples of violence in Mandya in September 2024, the murder of Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru, and an attack on a Hindu youth in Koppal.
Shriramulu requested a review meeting with the Karnataka Home Department and DGP alongside the Union Home Ministry to assess recurring incidents in districts, failures of the intelligence system, and prosecution in riot and targeted murder cases.
He called for the issuance of a uniform standard operating procedure (SOP) that includes guidelines for procession permits, route determination, timelines, ‘no-go’ buffer zones near sensitive sites, proceedings of joint peace committee meetings, written assurances from organizers, and real-time stress control protocols, along with preventive security mapping and periodic reviews.
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