Over 21 political killings in Karnataka since 2018, says data

Karnataka has been in the headlines for three alleged political murders within 10 days. Reportedly, data states that the state has witnessed over 21 such murders between January 2018 and June 2022.

According to government statistics, Karnataka has experienced more than 120 such assassinations since crime bureaus started categorising murders as occurring for “political motives” around the turn of the century (2000), or an average of about five murders each year. Based on the specific backgrounds of those engaged and the immediate motive, they are categorised as “political.”

It has been analysed that the tenure of the Chief Minister SM Krishna has reported the lowest number of such killings, which is 17, whereas the highest number of political killings were reported during the tenure of Siddaramaiah, which is 43, although officials suggested that there might have been other reasons too.

The official stated, “It could be that the system allowed registration of cases in one period or that the overall environment was more charged.”

“Previous governments did not register all cases and politicians encouraged organisations like the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) that have extreme religious views. Siddaramaiah even withdrew cases against around 2,000 members belonging to various organisations, which emboldened such people. Our government is registering all cases and is committed to taking all of them to a logical end,” said Home Minister, Araga Jnanendra

Former CM HD Kumarswamy called out BJP for worsening the situation in Karnataka which used to be an exemplarily state of peace and harmony.