Hindutva accounts spread misinformation, falsely blame Muslims for Israeli tourist's gang rape
Koppal: Soon after reports emerged about the gang rape of two women, including a 27-year-old Israeli tourist, near Sanapur Lake in Gangavati, Hindutva-aligned social media accounts launched a misinformation campaign falsely blaming Indian Muslims and linking the crime to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
False claims and hate campaign
Several far-right X accounts selectively highlighted the Israeli tourist's assault, falsely claiming it was an act of revenge by Indian Muslims for Palestine. A widely shared post, originally crafted by Hindutva influencer "Mr. Sinha," suggested a conspiracy, stating, “Since an Israeli national is involved, the involvement of pro-Palestinian elements can’t be denied.” Many accounts copy-pasted this message, tagging Union Home Minister Amit Shah and demanding a CBI probe.
Karnataka: An Israeli tourist and a woman from Odisha were rap*d and and three other male companions were badly assaulted. One of them are found dead in a canal.
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) March 8, 2025
Since an Israeli national is involved, involvement of pro Palestinian elements can't be denied..@HMOIndia should… pic.twitter.com/X2N6SE714o
The misinformation campaign led to widespread anti-Muslim rhetoric online, with several users calling for a crackdown on the minority community. Some posts even falsely suggested that Islam encourages such crimes.
All three accused arrested
Karnataka Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi confirmed the arrest of all three accused involved in the case. Two suspects, 22-year-old Mallesh alias Handi Malla and 21-year-old Chetan Sai, both from Gangavathi taluk, were arrested on March 8. The third accused was arrested in Tamil Nadu after fleeing the state.
Incident details
The attack occurred on the night of March 6 near the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal. The victims, including a homestay owner from Odisha, were stargazing with three male companions, one from the United States and two from Maharashtra and Odisha.
According to police, the accused initially approached the group under the pretext of asking for directions and then demanded Rs 100 from the Israeli tourist. When the group refused, the situation escalated. The attackers pushed the three male companions into the canal before assaulting the women. They fled the scene on a motorcycle.
The Karnataka government has assured strict action against the perpetrators, dismissing communal angles being falsely spread online.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
