Should Suhas Shetty's Murder Be Politicized? Dy CM Shivakumar Urges Karnataka BJP to Maintain Peace

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar calls for peace in Karnataka amidst Suhas Shetty's murder.
- Political agendas should not interfere with the ongoing investigation.
- Mangaluru police are expected to handle the case impartially.
- Upcoming cultural events like Bengaluru Habba and IIFA awards aim to promote local culture.
- Shivakumar highlights Bengaluru's potential as a hub for international events.
Bengaluru, May 2 (NationPress) The BJP must refrain from politicizing the murder of Suhas Shetty. Karnataka is known for its peace, and the BJP should work collaboratively to uphold this tranquility,” stated Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
He addressed inquiries from the media at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Friday.
In response to questions regarding the murder of Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru, he remarked, “The police will pursue legal action against those responsible for the murder. We will not interfere in the investigation.”
When questioned about the BJP’s claims concerning the deterioration of law and order in the state, he replied, “I prefer not to comment on that. The police in Mangaluru are both capable and competent. They will ensure legal action is taken regarding this incident.”
Suhas Shetty, a Hindu activist, was brutally murdered on Thursday (May 1) by a group armed with machetes and swords. The attackers, arriving in two vehicles, struck while he was in his car with associates within the Bajpe police station jurisdiction.
Shetty was affiliated with Bajrang Dal and was the principal suspect in the murder of Mohammad Fazil, a Suratkal resident. Shetty and his associates allegedly killed Fazil in a public area on July 28, 2022, as revenge for the murder of BJP activist Praveen Kumar Nettaru.
Nettaru, a BJP worker from a sensitive communal area, was murdered amid the unrest surrounding the 'hijab' controversy. This incident took place in Bellare, near Sullia in Dakshina Kannada district, and sparked a series of revenge killings and violent incidents throughout the state.
Suhas Shetty had recently been released on bail concerning the Fazil murder case.
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar further announced, “The Bengaluru Habba and the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards are set to be held this December or January next year.”
“We have discussed the organization of the Bengaluru Habba and IIFA Awards, tentatively planned for December or January. Discussions have taken place with IIFA representatives on this matter. Our goal is to create a week-long cultural celebration in Bengaluru, integrating various events while attracting global attention,” he stated.
“The event was previously hosted in Rajasthan, and Telangana is currently holding a beauty pageant. We are not pursuing that direction. Recently, Sandalwood has outperformed Bollywood in several aspects, and we aim to promote it further. With Dasara in October, we believe that December or January is the perfect time for this event, allowing us to showcase our culture on an international stage. Apart from Mumbai, Bengaluru is seen as the prime location for hosting such events,” Shivakumar added.
Shivakumar also convened a meeting with representatives from the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) to discuss the organization of a cultural festival and international film awards ceremony in Bengaluru.