Bangalore clash: How a Facebook post sparked deadly clashes in the city

Background:

A Facebook post with communal remarks sparked violent clashes in Bengaluru on 12th August 2020, where the mob vandalized a police station and the residence of a Congress MLA. Three people have died as a result of the clash and 60 police personnel have been injured after being attacked by the mob.

Reason behind the clash:

The reason behind the clash is a Facebook post put outby the nephew of a Congress politician which was offensive towards the Muslim community.

Result of the clash:

• The house of the person responsible for the post was attacked and burned as a result of the violence.
• TV channels showed a group of people gathered outside a police station and clashing with officers, burning several police vehicles. The videos showed the group later trying to force its way into the police station, and another group gathering outside the politician's house shouting, throwing stones, and setting fire to vehicles parked along the road.
• Protesters blocked fire engines, and media personnel were also attacked.

Opinion of leaders on this issue:

·         The Muslim leaders and politicians urged people to maintain peace and refrain from violence.

·         A senior leader from the opposition Congress party in the state, Dinesh Gundu Rao, also appealed to people not to take the law into their hands.

Action taken:

• Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said Naveen, said to be a nephew of Congress politician R. Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy, who allegedly put out the social media post has been arrested.
• Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, said six companies of the Central Reserve Police Force are being dispatched to the violence-hit areas of Bengaluru.
• He said efforts to vitiate the atmosphere in society through hooliganism which will not be tolerated. Restoration of peace is the priority of the government and strict action will be taken against such elements.
• Meanwhile, the state government has announced that a district magistrate would conduct an inquiry into the violence.