Students Fall Ill After Karnataka School Water Poisoned to Oust Muslim Headmaster; 3 Arrested
The arrested individuals include Sagar Patil, the taluk president of Shriram Sena, a right-wing Hindu outfit, along with two others.
Three individuals, including a local leader of a right-wing organisation, have been taken into custody for allegedly contaminating the drinking water tank at a government primary school in Hulikatti village of Belagavi district, Karnataka. The accused reportedly intended to falsely implicate the school’s Muslim headmaster and demand his transfer.
As per police officials, the accused include Sagar Patil, who serves as the taluk president of the Shriram Sena. He, along with two others, is accused of poisoning the water source used by schoolchildren.
The motive, police said, stemmed from communal prejudice and was aimed at fuelling religious tension in the locality.
The incident surfaced about two weeks ago when multiple students fell ill after consuming the tainted water. Fortunately, no fatalities occurred, and all affected children have since recovered.
The trio has been booked under relevant legal provisions concerning public endangerment and inciting communal disharmony.
Reacting strongly to the incident, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned it, labelling it a “heinous crime” stemming from religious hatred and intolerance.
In a post shared on social media platform X, he stated, “Religious fanaticism and communal hatred can result in monstrous acts, and this case — which could have led to the mass killing of innocent children — stands as proof of that.”
He also criticised right-wing organisations and the BJP, stating they often support such destructive acts, and demanded accountability. “Will Pramod Mutalik take responsibility for this act? Will @BYVijayendra take responsibility? Will @RAshokaBJP take responsibility?” he asked.
“Leaders who consistently back such divisive activities must now step forward and seek forgiveness for their actions,” he added.
The Chief Minister further cautioned that all forms of extremism pose serious danger to society, and informed that a special task force has been constituted to tackle hate speech and communal violence. He also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any such incidents.
“Appreciation to the police personnel who uncovered and prevented this dangerous conspiracy aimed at harming children. I have full faith that the judiciary will ensure strict punishment for the guilty,” Siddaramaiah concluded.
