Bangalore Violence: Planned, executed in retaliation to Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan in Ayodhya?

 

Otherwise known as a peace-loving pensioner’s paradise, Bengaluru suddenly witnessed arson and violence at DJ Halli and KG Halli, which are now under curfew. A derogatory post of a Congress MLA, Srinivas Murthy’s family member Naveen triggered instant unrest on August 11.

“The post hurt religious sentiments and people were provoked,” said MD Sharief, SDPI Bengaluru unit president.

However, would it take minutes for a post to go viral immediately prompting people to gather stones to pelt and procure petrol to set vehicles on fire? So, was this riot pre-planned?

“I would call it an organised riot. At 7 pm, the post goes viral, 8 pm, people go the police. The DCP said he would handle it. In such cases, one can’t expect instant action. But soon after, around 3,000 people are on the streets indulging in arson and violence. Where did the weapons come from?” questioned BJP spokesperson Malavika Avinash, adding that this seems “pre-planned”.

While Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar called Naveen a BJP activist, Congress spokesperson Kengal Renu said, “If you call this organised riot, then it is organised by the BJP. They (BJP leaders) have messed up the economy and mishandled the pandemic, and they are now finding reasons to point fingers at the opposition as part of a diversion tactic.”

However, the SDPI said that a 4-hour delay in taking action or arresting Naveen led to this violence. 

Within a week after the Bhumi Pujan of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, here is rampage involving a particular community. Some netizens on social media suspected this to be in retaliation to the Ayodhya verdict.

“Not just Ram Mandir, we have CAA, triple talaq and more. This could be a result of latent anger,” said Malavika Avinash.

“Why should we politicise the issue? This should be handled as a law and order problem and ensure we establish peace. Did we not condemn when there was a derogatory post on Amit Shah earlier?” asked Congress MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Dismissing the influence of Ayodhya sentiment, Shareif said, “We would have reacted then and there. More than the importance of Masjids, we hold Prophet Mohammed high regard, which is why sentiments run high here.”

So, can violence be the answer to grievance – be it religious or democratic?