Dalit woman murdered in Karnataka! Huge uproar over ‘love jihad’ claims; Rafiq stabbed her after she refused to marry him.
Dalit woman killed in Yellapur: Karnataka police said a 30-year-old Dalit woman was stabbed to death in broad daylight in Yellapur town, Uttara Kannada district. The victim has been identified as Ranjita Bhansod. The body of the accused, Rafiq Imamsaab, was also recovered.
Dalit woman killed in Karnataka: A 30-year-old Dalit woman was stabbed to death on the street in Yellapur town, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. It is alleged that the murder was committed by an acquaintance. Superintendent of Police (SP) Deepan MN said the body of the accused, Rafiq Imamsaab, was also found hanging from a tree in a forest near Yellapur on Sunday (January 4). The incident has sparked communal tension in the town. Several Hindu organizations called for a shutdown in Yellapur on Sunday, calling the murder a case of ‘love jihad’.
The deceased has been identified as Ranjita Bhansod of Kalamma Nagar, Yellapur. According to police, Rafiq, a resident of the same area, was the main accused in the woman’s murder. Police said Rafiq and Ranjita were friends since school. A police officer said, “Preliminary investigation reveals that the accused was pressuring the woman to marry him. When she refused, he allegedly attacked her with a knife in public.”
The woman was married 10 years ago
Police said on Sunday that the incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when Ranjita was returning home from school. Police said Ranjita had married in Maharashtra about 12 years ago and they have a 10-year-old son. Police said she was living separately from her husband with her family in Yellapur, where she worked as a mid-day meal assistant at a government school.
The accused often visited her home for meals, but tensions escalated when she insisted on marriage. However, Ranjitha and her family protested. Following the murder, angry residents and Hindutva activists protested in front of the Yellapur police station, alleging a delay in the arrest of the accused.
The attacker also died.
Meanwhile, Rafiq’s body was found hanging from a tree in the forest. Police said the circumstances of his death were being investigated. It is being claimed that he committed suicide. Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra attended the woman’s funeral. He demanded compensation of ₹50 lakh and two acres of land for the bereaved family.
He also announced immediate assistance of ₹5 lakh from the party. Sri Ram Sena chief Pramod Muthalik said, “This is a clear case of ‘love jihad.’ In this, unmarried, widowed, or divorced women are targeted.”
Security beefed up
In view of the situation, police have tightened security by deploying additional forces in Yellapur and surrounding areas. Vijayendra condemned the incident and alleged that such crimes are recurring due to the inaction of the state government and the Home Department.
He alleged, “Whenever such incidents occur, even before the police begin an investigation, the Chief Minister and Home Minister offer clarifications, saying it’s not a case of ‘love jihad.’” Vijayendra demanded a thorough investigation and justice for the victim’s family.
The term ‘love jihad’ was coined by right-wing groups. It is used to allege that Muslim men conspire to lure Hindu women into relationships and marriages in order to “convert them to Islam.”
AKHILESH NATH TRIPATHI
Courtesy: Hindi News
