Hubballi, April 7 (NationPress) Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, has called on the state government to take the alleged love jihad incident in the city seriously and initiate a thorough investigation.

During his visit to the victim’s home in Hubballi on Tuesday evening, the minister offered condolences to the family and pledged support, emphasizing the need for the government to expedite justice.

Joshi voiced significant concern, asserting that the alleged incident in Hubballi has cast a shadow on society.

He accused the Congress government in the state of fostering such occurrences through appeasement policies and inadequate actions.

Further criticizing the administration, he claimed that these incidents are a direct result of Congress’s appeasement politics, leading anti-social elements to operate without fear of legal repercussions.

The Union Minister insisted that the state government must treat this case with utmost seriousness, carry out an extensive investigation, impose stringent penalties on the culprits, and ensure prompt justice for the victim and her family.

Joshi also demanded strict measures against individuals who shared the victim’s images and videos on social media.

He mentioned that he has advised police officials to implement robust strategies to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.

It’s worth noting that the Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party raised the issue of the Hubballi “love jihad” during their bypoll campaign, asserting that women are living in fear under the leadership of the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government.

Speaking at a Bharatiya Janata Party Mahila Morcha meeting in Bagalkot prior to the by-election, former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai echoed these sentiments.

Bommai stated that under the current administration, women are feeling insecure, advocating for its removal to ensure their safety.

He noted that shortly after the Neha Hiremath case fades from public consciousness, another alleged “love jihad” incident has emerged in Hubballi.

For context, Neha Hiremath, a 23-year-old, was tragically murdered on a college campus in Hubballi by a man identified as her former lover in 2014.

With another alleged case recently reported, police are on high alert as the situation has taken a communal angle.

Bommai remarked that such incidents are happening in every village, asserting that a state where women are not secure cannot be regarded as a proper system.

He urged that if mothers are to live without fear, the government must be replaced swiftly.

Additionally, he encouraged women to actively engage in the upcoming election campaign, highlighting their capability to influence outcomes by connecting with every household.