In a shocking incident that has ignited tensions in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district, two Hindu students were allegedly assaulted on a college bus for sitting next to a Muslim girl. The altercation unfolded Friday morning aboard a Sahyadri College bus, drawing swift police intervention and a stern warning from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
According to Busavanhalli police, the violence erupted when Yogesh and Jayant, both Hindu students and friends of the Muslim girl, took seats beside her. This seemingly innocuous act provoked outrage from fellow students Salim and Rashid, who confronted Yogesh, snatched his mobile phone, and launched a physical attack.
Jayant, attempting to de-escalate the situation, became the next target. The scuffle quickly escalated, prompting the college administration to alert authorities. Police rushed to the scene, detained both victims and accused for questioning, and launched a formal investigation.
All involved parties are students at the same Sahyadri College, highlighting fractures within the campus community. Eyewitness accounts describe a heated exchange rooted in religious sensitivities, with the attackers reportedly objecting to the interfaith seating arrangement.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded forcefully, vowing zero tolerance for moral policing. ‘No one will be allowed to take the law into their hands, regardless of affiliations,’ he declared, directing senior police officials to crack down on vigilante activities. This incident underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining communal harmony in educational institutions across the state.
As investigations continue, local authorities are urging students to exercise restraint. The event has sparked debates on campus inclusivity, with calls for counseling sessions to prevent future flare-ups. Karnataka’s leadership remains committed to fostering unity amid diversity.