BJP Claims ‘Love Jihad’ After a Karnataka Woman’s Brutal Murder Upstages Congress’s Caste & Development Agenda

In much of Karnataka, it has been raining, providing a break from the intense heat for residents. As the state struggles with a shortage of water, the rains have cheered up the governing Congress, which is facing off against the BJP headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the legislative elections. But the happiness was fleeting. Panic in the Congress camp has been brought on by the gruesome murder of Neha Hiremath in Hubli by her purported friend Fayaz, which has provoked anger across the state.

Niranjan Hiremath, the father of the child and a Congress member of the Hubli-Dharwad City Corporation, has expressed outrage at the blatant remarks made about his daughter’s horrific death by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara.

The BJP, which had been using caste as a wedge in the elections, seems to have seen an opening to use the ‘Love Jihad’ narrative. As a result, it has launched a fierce campaign against the Siddaramaiah administration, claiming that minority appeasement was the cause of these kinds of atrocities.

The BJP was concerned about the Congress’s caste realignment and the apparent success of its five guarantees among the state’s lower class and impoverished, even if it was not heavily relying on Hindutva for this election.

The Congress is hammering home points like the Centre’s “betrayal” of the state, the rejection of revenue sharing, and the accomplishment of five key promises within six months of taking office in an effort to deflect attention from Modi and make the election less Modi-centric. In northern Karnataka, the Congress has also put up five youthful Lingayat candidates in an attempt to defeat the BJP’s Lingayat card.

Reports from the ground indicated that most of the seats would be closely contested, with the Congress clearly leading in 8–10 seats when there were no significant communal issues.

However, the Hubli tragedy has clouded the political approach, and the Congress is concerned that it may shift public opinion in favor of the BJP, severely harming the party’s chances in the elections.

Many in the Congress believe that the BJP’s return to Hindutva was aided by the home minister and chief government’s tempered response, which turned the matter into a communal issue.

“This is a great tragedy that has occurred. This behavior is savage. It may be an act of a heartbroken lover. It can only be ascertained after a comprehensive inquiry. A few of our leaders have acted prematurely and failed to recognize the seriousness of the issue. A top Congressman said that it gave the appearance that the government was lenient toward such horrible acts.

For once, it was Modi in 2014. It was the Pulwama attack in 2019. Up until two days ago in 2024, the BJP had no major problems. A other Congress leader said, “I’m confident they won’t let this issue die.”

The Hubli tragedy and the government’s prompt reaction to it have prompted the BJP to call for a protest by its cadre.

When election days approach, the horrific killing of a little child will undoubtedly take center stage in the campaign. If Congress is unable to adequately combat it, the outcome of the election might be terrible.