Once Hindutva hero, Harsha’s family now suffers in isolation

NT Correspondent

Shivamogga: Two years after the killing of Bajrang Dal member Harsha Nagaraj in Shivamogga, his family seems to be going through a tough time, partly because of things reportedly turning sour between them and some leaders of the saffron fold.

The 22-year-old Harsha was hacked to death on February 20, 2022 in Doddapete area in Shivamogga city.

He had four criminal cases against him including rioting and causing intentional insult to religion.

The incident led to communal conflagrations in the city. A number of Hindutva ideologues had also staged protests demanding the arrest of the perpetrators.

BJP leaders and seers also used to visit the family to express condolences and support.

The BJP government led by Basavaraj Bommai promptly handed over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which arrested 10 men from the minority community in connection with Harsha's murder.

Since then, Harsha's elder sister Ashwini, has been taking care of her parents in great part thanks to donations from those sympathetic to her family.

She said that the pooled money had gone up to Rs 1.5 crore. The family had formed a trust in the name of Harsha and started helping people in need as well.

Ashwini had also been vocal about asking youth to refrain from "communal politics," which she blamed for the loss of her brother’s life.

Demanding ticket for kin backfires

However, things changed when the enthusiastic Sangh Parivar ideologues went so far as to demand a ticket for a member of Harsha’s family in the lead up to the 2023 Assembly elections, a move that sowed suspicions among some local BJP leaders.

Then Shivamogga MLA K Eshwarappa became wary of the family since he was unsure about being re-nominated.

Ashwini vehemently denied her and her family having political aspirations, adding that the perception "isolated" them among a section of the Sangh Parivar.

"We never wanted to jump into a political fray. Despite our disapproval, several activists continued demanding a ticket for us and the MLA (Eshwarappa) assumed that we were eager to contest elections," Ashwini said.

Things took a turn for the worse as local activists allegedly began threatening them with dire consequences if they did not leave Shivamogga.

Ashwini said that the episode made her family very anxious.

"Hindus and Muslims are all human beings. These things hurt everyone. Everybody bleeds," Ashwini said.

Eshwarappa sidelined anyway

Eshwarappa was made to step down by the BJP and the Shivamogga ticket was given to his protégé SN Channabasappa.