Amid Lingayat ire, BJP invokes Neha murder case, ‘love jihad’ in Karnataka’s Dharwad

On April 18, Neha Hiremath, 23, was stabbed to death at her college in Hubballi by her former classmate, Fayaz Khandunayak. About two weeks later, the murder case has purportedly become the poll plank of Dharwad BJP MP Pralhad Joshi, who is facing pushback due to anti-incumbency and resentment among the dominant Lingayat community. 

The News Minute's Shabbir Ahmed and Samrah Attar hit the ground and spoke to Fakireshwar Mutt's seer, Dingaleshwar Swami, who initially stood against Joshi but later withdrew his nomination. They also spoke to Neha’s father and local students about the murder case making its way to the BJP campaign and the “love jihad” narrative.

Watch.

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