Jain Monk's Murder In Karnataka: BJP Demands CBI Probe, Security For Monks

A gruesome murder of a Jain monk in the state of Karnataka has come as a shocker to everyone. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and says that the murder is more than 'financially motivated'.

What exactly happened?

Acharya Sri Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj, a Jain monk from the Belagavi district was reported missing for more than two days beginning last Thursday.

Two days later, his dismembered body was found in a borewell in Belagavi's Chikkodi taluk. For the last 15 years, it has been reported that the monk was residing at the Nandi Parvata Jain Basadi. On Saturday, July 08, the manager of the Basadi Bheemappa Ugare lodged a complaint with the police that the monk went missing.

So far, the Belagavi police have detained two people in connection to the murder.

What makes it look suspicious?

According to a News18 Kannada report, the Jain Muni was allegedly murdered for an issue concerning loan repayment. The police who detained the two suspects in connection with the case, initially confessed to their crime stating that they disposed the body in a 'tube well'.

The accused soon changed their statement and said that they "wrapped the body in a cloth and disposed of it in a river", a News18 report states.

Jain bodies protest

On Monday, July 10, several Jain organisations in the state protested for a swift justice to be delivered. These organisations have laid out four demands in front of the Government of Karnataka (GoK):

One, provide police protection to monks during their pada yatras.

Two, provide them with security during their stay.

Three, safeguarding Jain monastries.

Four, establish a Jain corporation/board for the welfare of the community.

Several Jain monks who were on a hunger strike since Monday ended their strike, basis the assurance provided by the GoK and the Chief Minister of Karnataka that the case will be 'investigated thoroughly' and that the justice will be delivered soon.

Karnataka's Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar made a visit to many of the Jain monasteries in the state and assured them of a full cooperation from the Congress government in the state.

What the Opposition is saying:

The BJP has reportedly formed a 'fact-finding team' to probe into the murder of the Jain Muni and has demanded that a CBI probe be launched into the matter.

Several BJP leaders including former BJP Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has stated that there is a possibility that the murder is not entirely due to financial reasons, and that if there were any other reasons beyond that, it must be investigated.

Bommai stated that the law and order in the state has been 'quickly deteriorating under the new government'. To further explain, he provided the examples of recent crimes in Karnataka which occurred after the Congress came to power. This includes the killing of a head constable by the sand mafia, the alleged murder of a Hindu activist in T Narsipura and more.

Several Hindu organisations have even called for capital punishment for the killers.