Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday, 30 June visited Naregal village in Haveri district after communal violence erupted during Kara Hunnime celebrations, leaving six people injured. Vijayendra alleged a 'conspiracy' to disturb communal harmony and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible, claiming Hindus were finding it increasingly difficult to celebrate festivals peacefully.

What Triggered the Violence

The trouble began on Monday when a quarrel broke out over the bursting of firecrackers during a traditional bull-running procession held as part of Kara Hunnime at Naregal village in Hangal taluk. The dispute escalated into a group clash, resulting in injuries to six persons, all reportedly from the Kuruba community.

Vijayendra named the injured as Lohith Kurubar, Shivaraj, Jayappa, Nagappa, Mallappa, and Ningaraj Kurubar, among others. He alleged they were 'brutally attacked' solely because firecrackers were set off to drive the bulls during the customary celebration.

BJP's Allegations Against the State Government

After visiting the incident site, Vijayendra proceeded to Haveri District Hospital to enquire about the health of the injured and met family members, assuring them of the party's support.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he levelled sharp allegations against the ruling Indian National Congress (Congress) government and the police. 'The police are functioning like puppets of the ruling party. Police stations have become Congress offices,' he alleged. He further claimed that Bajrang Dal workers, cow protection activists, and their families were being threatened through 'unnecessary police cases.'

Vijayendra criticised the state government for failing to make any arrests even 24 hours after the incident, and alleged that counter-cases were being registered against members of the Hindu community instead. 'Attempts are being made to intimidate Hindus by registering counter-cases against them,' he claimed.

Warning of Public Unrest

The BJP state president also criticised the local Congress legislator for allegedly not visiting the victims following the incident. He warned that if the accused were not arrested promptly, people could be 'forced to take to the streets,' and held the police administration and the local ruling party MLA responsible for any such escalation.

'If counter-cases are filed against Hindus, people will be left with no option but to protest and lay siege to the police station,' he warned.

Call for CM and Home Minister Intervention

Vijayendra urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Home Minister Priyank Kharge to personally intervene and resolve the situation. He alleged that attacks on Hindus had occurred repeatedly in Naregal, framing the latest incident as part of a broader pattern rather than an isolated clash.

He also remarked that elected representatives had a duty to protect all sections of society, cautioning that failure to act would carry electoral consequences. As of the time of reporting, no arrests had been confirmed by the authorities, and the state government had not issued a formal response to the BJP's allegations.