Muslims denounce accused in Neha murder, observe half-day bandh in solidarity with her father

In Dharwad, a significant number of Muslim individuals, both men and women, gathered on Monday to stage a demonstration, condemning the accused, Fayaz Khondunaik, who belongs to their own community, in the murder case of college student Neha Hiremath. They openly expressed their support for the victim’s family, and Muslim-owned shops remained closed for half a day as a gesture of solidarity.

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The demonstrators displayed posters advocating for justice for Neha Hiremath. Under the leadership of the Dharwad unit of Anjuman-e-Islam, Muslim students participated in a march, holding banners and placards calling for the respect and protection of girl students. In light of BJP’s demonstrations across the city in protest of the Neha murder case, heightened security measures were implemented with the deployment of additional police forces.

The police apprehended Fayaz Khondunaik, who fatally stabbed Neha Hiremath, the daughter of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation’s Congress Councillor Niranjan Hiremath, on the BVB College campus. Neha, a first-year Master of Computer Application student, and Fayaz were former classmates.

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Political Controversy Surrounding Neha Hiremath’s Murder

The murder case of Neha Hiremath, which has triggered widespread outrage, has become a battleground for political parties, particularly the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. While the Congress has attempted to portray it as a personal incident, the BJP has labeled it as a “love jihad” case, alleging a decline in law and order in the state. BJP-affiliated organizations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, have organized protests demanding justice and harsh punishment for the accused. Similar demonstrations have taken place in various other locations.

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