Karnataka Minister Eshwarappa says Muslim goons behind RSS worker Harsha's murder; ruckus in Council

He also held responsible Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President DK Shivakumar for provoking Muslim goons by spreading rumours of replacement of tricolour with bhagwa flag in a college in Shivmogga.

"A Sanghathan worker was killed by Muslim goons. He was not married as well. He was a very sincere worker. He was killed by Muslim goons last night. That way Shivmogga is a peaceful city, but some days back DK Shivakumar had spread rumours about replacement of Tricolor with bhagwa flag in a college at Shivmogga. This encouraged the Muslim goons," Eshwarappa told reporters here as quoted by UNI.

In a tweet, Shivakumar had alleged, “Some anti-national elements allied with BJP have brought down the national flag in a college in Shimoga. I urge everyone to post a photo of themselves with the national flag as a mark of protest.”

In an earlier tweet, he had said, "The situation in some Karnataka educational institutions has gone so out of hand that in one case, the National flag was replaced by a saffron flag. I think the affected institutions should be closed for a week to restore law and order. Teaching can continue online."

Eshwarappa said the state government will take strict action against the killers and would provide assistance to his family. Consequent to this statement, pandemonium prevailed in the Legislative Council with Congress member BK Hariprasad blaming RDPR Minister KS Eshwarappa behind Harsha's murder.

"Yesterday an incident took place in Shivmogga. A former Bajrang Dal worker's murder had taken place. Two years back Harsha's mother had given in writing to Shivmogga Superintendent of Police that her son is not Bajrang Dal worker," he said raising the issue in the upper house.

"After the murder, the RDPR Minister Eshwarappa, who is also the district incharge minister, gave a statement. Muslim goons have carried out the murder. This is an inappropriate statement when the police are investigating and trying to find out who are behind the murder. Eshawarappa himself has murdered the boy," Hariprasad alleged.

In the morning, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said very soon killers will be nabbed as the police have gathered some clues in the incident.

"Investigation into the killing of Harsha has begun. I have received information about some clues having been found out. We are also expecting arrest of those who are behind the murder," he told reporters here.

Bommai also said he has directed the Shivmogga police to maintain law and order in the district. He also appealed to the people to maintain peace and tranquility.

Bommai was commenting on Sunday night's murder of a RSS worker, named Harsha, who was stabbed to death by some unidentified person in Shivmogga on Sunday at around 2100 hours.

The deceased was reportedly chased and killed in Bharathi Colony. Section 144 has been clamped in the town and holiday has been declared for schools and colleges.

The police are trying to ascertain if this incident is connected with the hijab controversy.

Following the incident, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra visited the family of the deceased Bajrang Dal worker and consoled the kith and kin of Harsha.

"A group of 4-5 youth murdered RSS worker. But this has to be confirmed. I just have the information," he told reporters here.

The police have already identified who are behind this murder, but will talk about it later, Jnanendra said, adding that the killers will be arrested soon.

Following the murder, a large number of number of Hindu organisation gathered at the Megan Hospital and started to protest.

At least four vehicles were torched by miscreants and the police had to resort to lathi-charge.