Father of killed Karnataka girl alleges 'love jihad' as Congress, BJP clash ahead of polls

As the southwest Indian state of Karnataka is set to go to polls in the second and third phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 26 and May 7, the recent killing of a corporator's daughter has become a major flashpoint between the ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP.With the perpetrator arrested and the investigation ongoing, BJP leaders are claiming this to be a case of 'love jihad'. The victim's father Niranjan Hiremath has also dubbed the heinous crime a case of 'love jihad'.

"The gang had conspired for a long time. They had planned either to trap her or to execute her. They have been threatening her in that backdrop. However, the girl had not heeded their threats," Hiremath reportedly said.

Speaking to a local media outlet, Niranjan Hiremath claimed that his daughter Neha and the accused were merely friends, not lovers. He further asserted that his daughter had warned the accused that she would file a complaint if he did not stop.

He said that his daughter was “a very bold and a very brave girl”.

“She did not like him, and she usually stayed away from all this... She refused his proposal, saying they both belonged to different castes and that she did not wish to have any relationship with him. Out of anger, he stabbed my daughter."

Karnataka CM on law and order

After Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimedthat the murder took place due to personal reasons, the victim's father said, "The whole state and country witnessed what happened to my daughter. If they say that it is personal, what is personal in this? Are they my relatives?"

Over BJP's allegations of a complete breakdown of law and order machinery in the state, the state CM hit back saying, "The law and order situation is very good in Karnataka, It is our duty to maintain law and order and we are doing it."

The preliminary investigation has revealed that the girl knew Fayaz Khondunaik and was in a relationship with him, but had been avoiding the man.

As per reports, Khondunaik stabbed her seven times and put her to death. He was a former student of the college that the late 23-year-old, a first-year student of Master of Computer Applications, was attending in Hubbali.

Following the incident, a large number of people assembled outside the Vidyanagar police station in Hubballi and held protests. They are calling for stringent punishment for the accused in the case.

(With inputs from agencies)