Neha Hiremath, a 24-year-old woman and daughter of Niranjan Hiremath, was tragically killed by her acquaintance inside the BVB College campus in Hubballi. Following this devastating incident, the local community expressed their demand for the accused to receive the harshest punishment possible. The incident occurred on Thursday when Neha, a first-year master of computer applications (MCA) student at the college, was stabbed multiple times in the chest and neck by the accused, identified as Fayaz, a 23-year-old MCA dropout from Savadatti in Belagavi district. Fayaz entered the college campus wearing a mask and armed with a knife, perpetrating this heinous act around 3.30 pm.
During the protests on Friday, various organizations and student activists in the city demanded justice for the victim. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) led a protest calling for a college bandh in the metro area. Other groups like the Hindu Jagran forum, Sri Ram Sena, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad workers also staged demonstrations in front of the BVB College, seeking accountability for the crime.
Student organizations held rallies demanding justice, leading to the police closing off the entire BVB College Road and implementing several security measures.
In Belgaum, ABVP activists blocked roads at Chennamma Circle, demanding strict action against Fayaz and criticizing the state Congress government’s handling of the incident. Protestors in Raichur called for increased security around college campuses and requested a CBI probe into the case. In Bengaluru, students gathered to denounce the murder, resulting in some being detained by the police as they tried to block the roads.
The victim’s family sharply criticized remarks made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and State Home Minister Parameshwara.
Siddaramaiah held a meeting with DGP Alok Mohan and city police commissioner B Dayanand for over an hour on Friday, instructing them to take strong measures to prevent crimes. He emphasized severe action against the accused, stating, “Neha’s murder was due to personal reasons. The state’s law and order situation is stable, and it is the government’s responsibility to uphold it, a duty we will fulfill.”
Responding to the incident, Union minister Pralhad Joshi said that it is evident that law and order has deteriorated under the administration of the Congress government.
“Due to the government’s appeasement policy, there is a lack of fear among sociopaths in the state. The Congress government should treat such incidents seriously. I have spoken to corporator Niranjan Hiremath, the father of the deceased young woman. There must be a thorough investigation into this case. An innocent girl has been murdered. Will the state home minister G Parameshwar answer?” he questioned.
“The accused of the murder should be hanged; severe punishment should be meted out,” he said while urging no lawyer to take up the defence of the accused.
The sentiment, however, was not confined to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Gadag district in-charge minister Santhosh Lad strongly criticized the incident, labeling it as “highly reprehensible”. He stated, “The murder of student Neha Hiremath is highly condemnable. Encounter laws (extra-judicial killings by police) should be enforced to prevent such heinous acts.”
Muslim community leaders also spoke out against Neha’s murder, demanding swift action against the perpetrators. They called upon the police commissioner to take decisive steps. The presidents of Alnavara, Kundagola, Kalaghatagi, Hubli, and Dharwad Anjuman urged the commissioner to ensure that justice was served by punishing the culprit.
In Fayaz’s hometown, there was a sense of calm. All shops in Munavalli town in Savadatti taluk of Belgaum district voluntarily shut down to protest Neha’s killing and show solidarity. To maintain security, three Karnataka state reserve police (KSRP) teams, one district armed reserve squad, and over 100 policemen were deployed. Additionally, police stationed security personnel at the accused individual’s residence.
Neha’s body was laid to rest at Kalburgi Mutt crematorium in Hubballi, following Veerashaiva rituals.