MP Shobha Karandlaje submitted a list of right-wing leaders allegedly killed by 'Jihadi' extremist to the Centre However, her list includes a few whose unconnected deaths. Worse, one of the victims claimed to be dead is still alive! After her blunder was pointed out, she said she will send yet another verified list to the Home Minister
BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje, who struggled hard to draw the Central government's attention to an alleged increased number of killings of right-wing activists in communal clashes in Karnataka, has found herself in a major controversy.
After RSS leader Sharat Madiwala was hacked to death during a Bantwal clash a few weeks ago, Shobha submitted a list of right-wing victims to Home Minister Rajnath Singh - squarely blaming Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) and Popular Front of India (PFI) for their deaths. She had also sought a ban on these organisations.
However, in a major goof up by the BJP MP, her list finds a mention of victims of road accidents, property disputes and worse, one of the 'victim' is still alive!
According to Suvarna News, Ashok Poojari, whom the BJP MP listed as murdered is hale and hearty. Ashok was reportedly attacked by miscreants near Moodbidri in 2015. Grievously injured, Poojary was rushed to the hospital. However, he has recovered since then.
Another victim who wrongly mentioned in the list is Karthik Raj. Kartik was found murdered at Konaje in Mangaluru last October. His murder triggered a forced bandh in Mangaluru by BJP leaders. It is reported that BJP leaders - including BJP Yeddyurappa, Shobha Karandlaje, Pratap Simha and Nalin Kumar Kateel - blamed 'Jihadi elements' for Kartik's murder.
However, police investigation revealed that it was Kartik's sister who allegedly gave a supari to kill him. The police had arrested Kartik's sister, her boyfriend and his younger brother for his death.
Another victim, Ravi Magali, who was a local BJP leader, was killed in Mysuru in November 2016. The BJP leaders too painted his death as victim of communal forces and made it a big issue. However, it turned out that Ravi died due to drunken driving and not as projected by BJP leaders.
The list does not end here. Another victim Vaman Poojary reportedly committed suicide in Moodbidri in 2015. Reports suggested that he was not attacked by anyone.
Shobha had spared no words in condemning the state government for the death of right-wing leaders. She had stated that "The Congress government in the state has failed to protect Hindus and we will not sit quiet."
When Suvarna News questioned Shobha Karandlaje about the blunder, she said "It was an oversight. I will send another list to the Centre." However, her apparent move to paint certain deaths as communal and submit the letter without verifying the facts has come under severe criticism.
