The murder of Suhas Shetty, a prominent Gau Rakshak, has sparked widespread condemnation and outrage from various Hindu groups and organisations across the coastal region. Leaders from the Hindu Jagran Vedike, Bajrang Dal, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad came together at a public meeting in Bajpe to demand justice for Shetty, asserting that the investigation into his brutal murder should be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Srikanth Shetty, a provincial executive member of the Hindu Jagran Vedike, and other speakers at the event decried the alleged involvement of Islamist terrorist forces and foreign-backed operations in the assassination. Srikanth argued that these forces have infiltrated the region, fueled by pan-Islamic ideologies and financial support from abroad, targeting Hindus as part of a wider conspiracy to undermine Hindu society.
“We are witnessing a systematic targeting of our community, and the recent murder of Suhas Shetty is proof that terrorist networks have deeply rooted themselves here in the coastal region. The killers of Suhas Shetty are no ordinary criminals—they are part of a larger, organised network that aims to silence those who stand for the protection of Hindu values,” said Srikanth Shetty, his voice filled with determination.
He added that while the bloodshed may temporarily intimidate Hindus, it will not quench the fire of justice. “Hindus, who are ten if they fall and a thousand if they die, will rise to avenge this barbaric murder. We will decide when, where, and how this justice will be served, but make no mistake—this is not over,” he declared, sending a clear message of resilience.
Calls for National Investigation Agency to Take Over the Case
The call for a comprehensive, unbiased investigation intensified as Suhas Shetty’s murder case continues to raise troubling questions about the involvement of police officers and local political figures. MLA Umanath Kotian, a vocal advocate for justice, claimed that the police force had been compromised, possibly even implicated in the murder conspiracy. He called on authorities to take immediate action against those in power who had allegedly worked in tandem with the murderers.
“The involvement of a police officer and a politician in the murder case of Suhas Shetty is unacceptable. The police have sided with the traitors who are targeting our activists,” Kotian said, urging the government to initiate a full-scale investigation to uncover the truth behind Shetty’s murder.
According to Kotian, there are troubling reports of intimidation tactics being used against those trying to investigate the case, with residents of a housing complex allegedly threatening survey staff. He emphasised that if the police truly had the courage to do their jobs, they should raid the premises and arrest the perpetrators involved.
Strong Support from Hindu Activists and Local Leaders
Suhas Shetty’s family, particularly his mother, Sulochana M Shetty, voiced their deep anguish at the ongoing attempts to tarnish Suhas’s reputation. The government’s portrayal of her son as a “rowdy sheeter” was vehemently rejected. “My son was working for Hindutva cause, not a criminal,” Sulochana Shetty lamented. “The police are the ones who tortured him, branding him as a rowdy, and now they are trying to sweep his murder under the carpet. We demand that the NIA take over the investigation and bring the killers to justice.”
Her words were echoed by Shivanand Mendon, the provincial coordinator of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, who reiterated the demand for a transparent and impartial probe into the murder. “The truth cannot be hidden. The forces behind this attack need to be exposed,” Mendon stressed.
The Public’s Outcry
The public meeting, held in heavy rain, saw an outpouring of support from the local community, with hundreds of activists and supporters participating in the demonstration. The crowd raised slogans demanding justice for Suhas Shetty, calling for the NIA to take over the investigation and for the arrest of those involved in his murder. Some of the prominent chants included
“Hand over the Suhas Shetty murder case to the NIA!”
“Contempt to the anti-Hindu Congress government!”
“No faith in the Congress government’s police investigation!”
“Arrest the PFI terrorists!”
“Hang the murderers of Suhas Shetty!”
“Arrest the criminals behind the murder!”
Despite the pouring rain, the determined crowd remained steadfast in their calls for justice, symbolising the unwavering resolve of the Hindu community in the face of adversity. The loud and passionate slogans echoed through Bajpe, making it clear that this was not just about one man’s murder—it was about a larger fight for the protection of Hindu values and against the rising tide of Islamist terrorism in the region.
