Attempts made to create 'terrorised' atmosphere in Dakshina Kannada, says Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao
Bengaluru, May 29 (PTI): Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Thursday said anti-national forces are targeting Muslims and alleged that attempts are made to create a "terrorised" atmosphere in Dakshina Kannada district, where a 32-year-old man was killed, and described the situation as "worrying".
He also hit out at the BJP, citing comments against senior officials from the Muslim community, and called the mindset "extremists or terrorists".
"The incident has pained us. I have discussed with the chief minister and the home minister. We have to take further action. The situation is being created for a terrorised atmosphere there. It is worrying as it is aimed at creating fear, with a mindset that they can do anything without any fear of law. This is very clearly visible," Rao said.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Home Minister G Parameshwara here, he said one person had died, but, as per information received, the plan was to kill more people.
Rao, who is also in-charge of Dakshina Kannada district, said that a discussion will be held with the chief minister regarding further steps to be taken in the district and maintaining law and order.
"These forces are anti-national forces because they want to create a fear in society, on a community -- the Muslim community. If they (Muslims) speak anything they are being targeted -- let it be whoever from the Muslim community -- the kind of language used against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum by BJP leaders, it shows the extremists, terrorist mindset of the BJP," he said, pointing at statements made by Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah and Karnataka MLC N Ravi Kumar respectively.
The murder victim, Abdul Rahiman, and his 29-year-old co-worker Kalandar Shafi, were unloading gravel when two motorcycle-borne youth made a murderous assault on them with a sword in this town on Tuesday. While Rahiman succumbed to his injuries, Shafi is undergoing treatment.
Rahiman's murder comes close on the heels of Suhas Shetty's killing on May 1 in the communally sensitive Dakshina Kannada district, and the latest murder is also being seen as communal overtones prevailing in the district, though a police investigation report is yet to come out.
Stating that statements are being made to project Muslims as Pakistanis, Rao said this country belongs to everyone according to the Constitution, but they don't have faith in it.
"Such a mindset has polluted the minds of the youth and they are getting influenced. This is a bad development as it is becoming a cause for violent incidents. Whoever has committed the crime, whether Hindu or Muslim or Christian, the guilty must be punished and the government is taking all the necessary measures," he added.
The health minister said the person who was killed was innocent and had no criminal background.
"These people (perpetrators) don't have humanity. Which religion says to do such things (murders)? Does Hindu religion or Bhagavad Gita or Ramayana say? Someone who doesn't know anything was killed. What does his family have to do?" he asked.
Noting that strict measures have to be taken to establish peace, punish the guilty and ensure that such incidents don't repeat, Rao said, "Police will have to take further measures, we are discussing it. We have taken the case seriously. This is a challenge for the government. Such forces need to be suppressed legally, and peace should be established in society."
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
