Who scripted Karnataka riots?

Riot act: JD (S) leaders say BJP engineered the riots in Shimoga and Hassan to portray Deve Gowda (bottom right) in bad light

Old tricks?

"Deve Gowda is playing his old tricks. However, this time the issue is not strong enough for him to exploit. He has instigated communal riots but he can't topple our government," said K S Eswarappa, the state BJP president.u00a0

Some Muslims took to the street in Hassan, Gowda's home district and parliamentary constituency, to protest an article published in a Kannada newspaper that allegedly contained derogatory references to the prophet of Islam.

The protests snowballed into riots that spread to Shimoga, chief minister Yeddyurappa's home district, where two died in police firing. Interestingly, a JD (S) corporater from Hassan -- Mangalamma -- who was seen in the middle of the action last afternoon, appeared to have sustained injuries on the thumb.

The police, however,u00a0 refused to confirm Mangalamma's involvement, "Our immediate concern is to bring the situation under control. We will investigate all aspects once we launch investigations into the case," said Saratchandra, superintendent of police, Hassan.

However, Home Minister VS Acharya rubbished the suggestion that the riots had broken out due to the perceived slight to the prophet of Islam. "They say a newspaper article caused the riots. If that was the case, the protesters would have protested in front of the newspaper's office. Why did they go on a rampage and damage public property. Why was the violence only witnessed in Hassan and Shimoga, where Gowda's political friend and former chief minister Bangarappa had pledged to support Gowda?" asked Acharya.

Gowda was the first leader in Karnataka to protest the ban on cow slaughter imposed by the state government.
BJP leaders said the protests were aimed at pleasing the minority Muslim community. "He may be dreaming of bringing governor rule in the state, but his dream will not come true as we are honest in our intentions," said Acharya.

'Engineered'

JD (S) leaders however said that the riots were engineered by the BJP to wean attention away from Gowda's rally today against the acquisition of land owned by farmers. "The government wanted to scuttle the rally. It stage-managed the violence so it could clamp prohibitory orders under Section 144. Moreover, the BJP should answer why saffron flags were seen at the site of the riots," said Ramesh Babu, JD (S) general
secretary.

2
The number of people killed in police firing in the riots

11
People remanded in judicial custody in riot-related cases yesterday

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!