Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi has urged the government to take the alleged love jihad case reported in the city seriously and conduct a comprehensive investigation. Visiting the victim’s residence in Hubballi on Tuesday evening, the minister consoled the family and extended support, urging the government to ensure that justice is delivered to them at the earliest.
Joshi expressed strong concern, stating that the alleged case in Hubballi has brought shame to society. He alleged that appeasement policies and lenient actions by the state Congress government have encouraged incidents of this nature. He further criticised the government, saying such incidents are a result of Congress’s appeasement politics and that anti-social elements appear to have no fear of the law in the state.
The Union Minister demanded that the state government take the case seriously, conduct a thorough investigation, ensure strict punishment for those found guilty, and provide swift justice to the victim and her family. Joshi also urged the government to take strict action against those who circulated the victim’s photos and videos on social media.
He added that he has instructed police officials to take firm measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future. It can be recalled that the Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party last Saturday raised the Hubballi “love jihad” issue during bypoll campaigning, alleging that women are living in fear under the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the state.
Speaking at a Bharatiya Janata Party Mahila Morcha meeting held at the party’s district office in Bagalkot ahead of the by-election, former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai made the remarks. Bommai alleged that women are living in fear under the present government and called for its removal to ensure their safety.
He said that even before the Neha Hiremath case fades from public memory, another alleged “love jihad” incident has surfaced in Hubballi. It may be noted that 23-year-old Neha Hiremath was stabbed to death on a college campus by a man identified as her jilted lover in Hubballi in 2014.
Recently, another alleged case has been reported from the city, and police are on alert as the issue has taken a communal turn. Bommai claimed that such incidents are occurring in every village. He said that a state where women are not safe cannot be called a functioning system.
He added that if mothers are to live without fear, the government must be removed at the earliest. He urged women to actively participate in the election campaign, stating that they have the power to influence outcomes by reaching every household.