On Thursday evening, a 21-year-old woman, Lavanya, was brutally murdered near the B.C. Road KSRTC bus stand in Bantwal taluk, Dakshina Kannada district. Right-wing journalist Kiran Aradhya, associated with the Samvada website, has faced severe criticism on social media for his post regarding the incident. Aradhya posted on X, a social media platform, making references to the accused’s attire and external appearance, which many believe was an attempt to give the case a communal colour.
Aradhya’s post mentioned the accused wearing a watch on his left hand and pants above the knee, implying a particular community without directly naming it. However, people on social media have condemned his actions, stating that the post was intended to create a misconception about the accused’s identity. The police had already identified the accused as Chetan, a resident of Odilnala village in Beltangady taluk, who is a distant relative of the deceased woman.
The preliminary investigation suggests that Chetan had a one-sided love affair with Lavanya, which might be the motive behind the crime. The police are still investigating the exact reason for the murder. Kiran Aradhya’s post has sparked a widespread debate on social media, with many alleging that he has previously shared posts targeting minority communities and leading to communal polarization.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK