Why did BJP call Suhas Shetty a rowdy and now a martyr?

Synopsis
The Karnataka Congress-led government criticizes the BJP for their contradictory stance on Suhas Shetty. Once labeled a rowdy, Shetty is now portrayed as a martyr following his murder. This article explores the political implications of this shift and the ongoing tensions in Mangaluru.
Key Takeaways
- Contradictory narratives from the BJP regarding Suhas Shetty's classification.
- Recent violence in Mangaluru linked to communal tensions.
- Calls for a NIA investigation from BJP activists.
- Political implications of labeling individuals as rowdies or martyrs.
- Community awareness and vigilance are crucial for maintaining peace.
Bengaluru, May 6 (NationPress) In response to the BJP's criticism regarding the murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru, the Karnataka Congress-led government took a stand against the opposition, questioning, "If he was truly a noble person, why did the previous BJP administration file a rowdy sheet against him?"
The Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, who is also the minister in charge of Mangaluru District, stated on Tuesday, "The intoxication of fanaticism has been forcefully imposed on the innocent."
Pointing to the police order that categorized Suhas Shetty as a rowdy, Minister Rao accused, "The rowdy sheet was opened in 2020, during the time of the BJP government under the leadership of Basavaraj Bommai as Home Minister. Today, the BJP is attempting to present Suhas Shetty as a martyr and a great soul."
"If he was such a noble figure, why did the BJP government then classify him as a rowdy?" questioned Minister Rao.
"While in power, they label individuals as rowdies, and then when these individuals die, they elevate them to the status of martyrs and saints," Rao criticized.
"Can they deny that their own children have faced violence due to religion? It is always the children of the less fortunate who end up as victims. Isn’t this the reality?" he asserted.
"The people of Mangaluru are aware and vigilant. Now, more than ever, the coastal residents must recognize the underlying conspiracy. If not, this corrupt politics will jeopardize the peace of the district," he urged.
Suhas Shetty, a former member of Bajrang Dal, was murdered on May 1. He was implicated in the murder of Mohammad Fazil, a Surathkal resident. Shetty and his associates allegedly killed Fazil in public on July 28, 2022, reportedly as retaliation for the murder of BJP youth worker Praveen Kumar Nettaru.
Nettaru, a BJP activist, was killed during the peak of the Hijab controversy, which sparked a series of revenge killings and multiple stabbing incidents across Karnataka. At the time of his death, Shetty had been out on bail.
Following Suhas Shetty's recent murder, several stabbing incidents have been reported in the regions of Mangaluru and Udupi.
The BJP and Hindu activists have raised concerns about the police's involvement in the murder, calling for an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The police have arrested eight individuals thus far and have indicated that Suhas Shetty was killed as revenge for Fazil’s murder.