The reference was to the hardline and often extra-legal tactics adopted by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Masood B (19), Praveen Nettar (32) and Mohammed Fazil (23) were the three murder victims who lost life in Dakshina Kannada district (Video Grab)
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Bommai on Thursday, 28 July, warned that the state could employ what he called the “Yogi model” to deal with “communal forces”.
He was talking to reporters about the achievements of the BJP government in Karnataka since 2019. He was the chief minister for the last one of those three years.
The BJP had planned several events to celebrate the landmark, but they had to be cancelled over the murder of a youth leader from the party, which led to anger among BJP workers.
Bommai’s threat of the Yogi model — a reference to the propensity of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to bulldoze the homes of those accused in communal crimes, and sometimes even other crimes — came as an effort to mollify those angry party workers.
Under immense pressure from within the party after the death of the BJP Yuva Morcha activist, Bommai said on Thursday, “In Karnataka, we are using different methods to deal with communal forces. If the situation arises, the Yogi model will be implemented here.”
He added, “The murder of Praveen Nettaru is a disturbing issue. In the recent past, the killing of Harsha followed a similar pattern.”
Bajrang Dal leader Harsha was killed earlier this year. The NIA, which took over the case, made several arrests.
Bommai, meanwhile, went on to say: “In the Praveen Nettaru murder case, we are going to the roots. We have already formed five teams who are undertaking the investigation firmly.”
He added: “Communal violence has happened in Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Karnataka as well. There will be strict action against anti-social elements involved in organised communal crimes.”
Bommai also said, “The decisions on banning the PFI and other organisations will be taken by the Union government. We have sent related documents to the government, and the process is underway. A decision will be taken soon.”
The People’s Front of India is an Islamist group that has been accused of several acts of violence, including chopping off the right hand of a Christian professor.
The 32-year-old Nettaru was hacked to death on the night of 26 July. The incident eclipsed the BJP’s mega rally in Doddaballapur, which was to be attended by the party’s national president JP Nadda.
On 27 July, during Nettaru’s funeral, BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel and minister-in-charge of Dakshina Kannada Sunil Kumar were heckled by hundreds of anguished BJP workers.
Moreover, the murder led to a mass resignation of BJP Yuva Morcha members and leaders from different parts of the state as a mark of protest.
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