LOVE JIHAD- KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE AMID OUTRAGE OVER COLLEGE STUDENT’S MURDER

The tragic killing of Neha Hiremath, a college student and daughter of a Karnataka Congress corporator by her former classmate Fayaz Khondunayak within a college campus in Hubballi, Karnataka has intensified the political discourse in the state. The opposition BJP has characterized it as a case of ‘love jihad’, a claim vehemently denied by the ruling Congress party. Neha Hiremath is a 23-year-old Masters of Computer Applications (MCA) student, was assaulted by Fayaz on the premises of BVB College in Hubballi. CCTV footage captured Fayaz repeatedly stabbing Neha before fleeing the scene. Police confirmed that Neha succumbed to multiple stab wounds inflicted by Fayaz, who was subsequently apprehended. “Testimonial from Niranjan Hiremath, a corporator representing the Congress party, and the father of Neha Hiremath and Geetha Hiremath, who is the mother of Neha Hiremath”: –

“If this is not Love Jihad, then what is?” Hiremath asked, adding that forced marital religious conversions have been spreading a lot. He pinpointed out that his daughter was stabbed 7 to 8 times as she turned down the marriage proposal of Fayyad. According to Hiremath, he has seen several ‘love jihad’ cases. “Incidents of this sort have been happening. I see various cases, and their cruelty is increasing. Why are youngsters going astray? Things have come to a point where I cannot hesitate to say this. Because I know the pain of losing a daughter. I have seen in various cases now, of parents losing children. I think this ‘Love Jihad’ is spreading a lot,” Hiremath said.

Geetha, Neha’s mother, filed a complaint revealing that Neha’s father had warned Fayaz against pursuing Neha for marriage due to her educational aspirations. Geetha also disclosed that Fayaz had recently threatened Neha, pressuring her to accept his proposal. This incident has triggered a political dispute between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. While the Congress treats it as a private matter, the BJP blames it on deteriorating law and order. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi hinted at a ‘love jihad’ angle, drawing criticism from BJP leaders for Congress’s alleged minority appeasement. The girl’s father, a Congress corporator, accused a ‘Love Jihad’ conspiracy against his daughter. BJP accused Congress of corruption and law enforcement failure, while Congress defended its governance and accused BJP of seeking Governor’s rule. Right-wing activists protested outside police stations, intensifying the polarization.