Karnataka BJP Critiques Congress Over Israeli Tourist's Assault in Hampi

Bengaluru, March 18 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP has vehemently condemned the Congress-led administration, asserting that the escalating lawlessness in the state has resulted in grave incidents like the gang rape of an Israeli tourist at the world-famous Hampi.

In an Assembly session on Tuesday, the Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, highlighted the issue under an 'adjournment motion'.

“Hampi is a globally acknowledged tourist hotspot. After consulting with police officials, I found out that numerous tourists are now abandoning the area. Over 60% of visitors to Hampi hail from Israel, usually traveling to Himachal Pradesh after their stay here. However, in light of this incident, they are departing in significant numbers,” Ashoka remarked.

“They are vacating homestays owned by local residents and are effectively left homeless. This has led to a major financial downturn for the state,” he emphasized.

“Hampi now bears a lasting stain as a premier tourist destination. It will require nearly a decade to restore foreign tourists' faith in the state's law and order,” Ashoka asserted.

Reflecting on the incident, Ashoka recounted, “The gang rape of an Israeli woman in Hampi took place on March 6. She was part of a group of five tourists enjoying music and moonlight by the Tungabhadra River. Three assailants attacked one of the tourists from Odisha, injuring his head. They threw him into the river, and due to his injuries, he could not swim back. The other two tourists, although pushed into the river, managed to escape. Subsequently, the Israeli woman and an Indian homestay owner faced sexual assault.”

Ashoka criticized the Congress government for deflecting responsibility onto homestays instead of confronting the law and order issue.

“The Chief Minister claims his administration is garnering international accolades, as noted in the Governor’s address. However, Karnataka's reputation has taken a severe hit on the global stage due to this incident,” he stated.

“The CM also falsely asserted that the President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) visited Karnataka at his invitation. In truth, the UNGA President traveled to Delhi and Bengaluru independently. Nevertheless, Siddaramaiah issued a press release claiming that the UNGA President met with him and praised his government’s guarantee schemes,” Ashoka criticized.

BJP MLA V. Sunil Kumar added that the government must be held accountable for the repercussions the Hampi incident has inflicted on the tourism sector.

Ashoka further lambasted the government, asserting, “Since this administration assumed control, there has been a disconnect between the Home Department and the law enforcement system. It remains uncertain who is overseeing the department. It is widely acknowledged that district ministers are in charge.”

Ashoka also flagged another troubling incident in Ramanagara, located 60 kilometers from Bengaluru.

“Slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ have appeared on the walls of the Toyota Company at four separate locations. The company has lodged a police complaint. What has become of us?” the BJP leader questioned.

“Previously, slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ were chanted within the Vidhana Soudha. Now, such incidents occur in a reputable company like Toyota, which employs 10,000 individuals. The government has taken no action and is attempting to silence the matter. Citizens are questioning whether this government has any integrity left,” Ashoka remarked.

“The perpetrators of such crimes should be executed. That is the only means to control them,” he insisted.

“I do not generalize, but a few individuals have shamed the entire community. No actions have been taken so far. Toyota is a global corporation with surveillance cameras everywhere. Yet, the government has failed to respond. Whose interests is this administration protecting?” the BJP leader inquired.

Referring to the recent murder of nurse Swati in Haveri district, Ashoka criticized the police's response to the case.

Swati, a nurse, lost her father to electrocution. She was one of three daughters. She attended bull-taming events with friends. On March 6, she went missing in Ranebennur town. Her mother filed a missing persons report on March 7.

Swati loved taking photographs with bulls. She met Nayaz and fell in love. Later, she became acquainted with Vinay and Durgachari, maintaining a friendship with them. Their relationship lasted two years. One day, the trio lured her into a Bolero vehicle, claiming they wished to discuss her marriage with Nayaz.

They took her to an abandoned school building, strangled her with a saffron scarf, and kept her body overnight. Eventually, they disposed of her body in the river. Three days later, her remains were discovered floating in the river, with strangulation marks and the scarf still around her neck.

“Despite an FIR being filed, the police cremated her body without notifying her mother. Why did they do this?” Ashoka questioned.

“The police's negligence is evident in this case,” he emphasized.

Ashoka also mentioned the Neha Hiremath murder case, stating, “When Neha Hiremath was killed, the government should have acted immediately. They did not. Numerous similar incidents have taken place, but the government has not treated them seriously. Had strict measures been implemented sooner, this incident could have been averted.”

Neha Hiremath, a college student, was brutally stabbed to death on campus by a spurned lover in Hubballi.

Ashoka also brought up Kannada actress Ranya Rao's arrest concerning a gold smuggling case.

“There are allegations implicating current ministers in the case. However, no statements have been issued, and no actions have been taken. This needs thorough investigation,” he stated.

“These are disgraceful incidents. No arrests have been made in the Ramanagara case. Is this government even operational? Karnataka has descended into a lawless state under Congress governance,” Ashoka lamented.

He also highlighted that ministers were absent from the Assembly session, showcasing their lack of seriousness.

Speaker U.T. Khader commented on the ministers' absence, stating, “By not attending the session and arriving late, ministers are damaging their own government’s reputation.”

“If ministers are unwilling to participate in the session, why did they become ministers? They all make an appearance when the Chief Minister is in the Assembly, but they should also attend in his absence,” Khader remarked.

BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal added, “When the Chief Minister speaks, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar’s faction is absent. Conversely, when the Deputy CM speaks, the CM’s faction ministers do not show up.”

The Home Minister G. Parameshwara will address the discussion on the state’s law and order situation after BJP members finish their statements.