Neha Hiremath, 24, a first-year Master of Computer Applications (MCA) student at BVB College in Hubballi, died unexpectedly on Thursday. She was allegedly stabbed to death on the college campus by an acquaintance named Fayaz, 23.
According to police, the assailant, who is purportedly a dropout from the MCA programme and a resident of Savadatti in Belagavi district, entered the campus masked and armed with a knife around 3:30 p.m. and attacked Neha many times in the chest and neck.
Protesters Demand Justice
Following the tragic occurrence, a number of organisations and student activists held rallies in Hubballi, demanding justice for Neha. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) led the protest, calling for a college shutdown in the metropolitan area.
The police closed off BVB College Road in response to the demands for justice in order to maintain public safety during the demonstrations. Roads near Chennamma Circle in Belgaum were blocked by ABVP activists who demanded harsh punishment for Fayaz and criticized the state government’s response to the incident. Protesters in Raichur called for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and urged for increased security on college campuses. As some of the students attempted to block highways, police detained them as they assembled in Bengaluru to protest the murder.
Siddaramaiah called a meeting of high ranking police officers, stressing the necessity for strict steps to deter similar crimes and ordering harsh punishment for those who commit them. Following the meeting, he said, “Neha’s murder happened due to personal reasons. The law and order situation in the state is good, and it is the duty of the government to maintain it, which we will fulfil.”
“Love Jihad” or Not?
Speaking to media the home minister , G Parameshwara said, “Neha’s murder at the BVB Engineering College premises in the city has nothing to do with politics. Neha and the accused Fayaz were in love with each other. Later, she tried to distance herself from Fayaz.” He further said, “Fayaz became angry and committed the murder. There is no evidence of love jihad in this case. If such events occur coincidentally, legal action will be taken against the accused.”
However, Neha’s family reacted negatively to statements made by State Home Minister Parameshwara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah amid the uproar. Expressing concerns over the spread of “love jihad”, Niranjan said, “Mothers need to be vigilant regarding their college-going daughters.” He refuted the statements made by the chief minister and home minister and said: “Your statements are misleading and tarnishing the image of my family. I know who my daughter is. My concern is that no girl should be subjected to this kind of trauma. If the home minister’s statement is aimed at appeasing the vote bank, it won’t work out.”
Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister and BJP candidate for Dharwad Lok Sabha seat, claimed the incident was the result of ‘love jihad’ and accused the Congress government of a “complete deterioration of law and order”.
“Due to the government’s appeasement policy, there is a lack of fear among sociopaths in the state. The Congress government should treat such incidents seriously. I have spoken to corporator Niranjan Hiremath, the father of the deceased young woman. There must be a thorough investigation into this case. An innocent girl has been murdered. Will the state home minister G Parameshwar answer?” he questioned.
“The accused of the murder should be hanged; severe punishment should be meted out,” he said while urging no lawyer to take up the defence of the accused.
Muslim community leaders joined in denouncing Neha’s murder, urging decisive action against the accused. Hubballi Anjuman-e-Islam president and former minister A M Hindasgeri said that such accused should be encountered in public places. Meanwhile, in Fayaz’s hometown, shops closed voluntarily in condemnation of the killing, with increased police presence deployed for security.
