BELAGAVI: Two weeks after drinking water laced with poison left 11 students indisposed at a government school in Belagavi district, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah Sunday described it as "a heinous act driven by religious fundamentalism and hatred" and attacked BJP for creating an environment of religious polarisation.
The incident took place at Hulikatti village of Savadatti taluk. District superintendent of police Bhimashankar Guled told reporters that the school headmaster is from a minority community and three members of fringe group Sri Rama Sene had been arrested in connection with the case.
Police sources claimed that the poisoning incident was part of a larger plan to discredit the headmaster, who has been heading the school for 13 years, and force his transfer from the district. The headmaster continues to serve the school despite continued attempts to malign him and tarnish his image.
The CM, in a post on X Sunday, expressed shock and anguish over the incident, calling it "rooted in religious fundamentalism". "This act could have resulted in the massacre of innocent children. It is a terrifying reminder of how religious bigotry and communal hatred can manifest in such inhuman ways," his post said.
The 11 students who fell ill after consuming the contaminated water were later discharged following treatment at a hospital in Savadatti. Of the three arrested in the case, Sagar Patil is president of Savadatti Taluk unit of Sene, police said.
Reflecting on the gravity of the incident, Siddaramaiah said, "It is hard to fathom that such cruelty could arise in the land of the Sharanas, who proclaimed that compassion is the root of all religion."
Siddaramaiah criticised BJP leaders, holding them morally accountable for creating a climate of religious polarisation.
"Those who spread hatred in the name of religion for political gain must introspect. Will Pramod Mutalik, BY Vijayendra, or R Ashok take responsibility for this? Leaders who support such anti-social elements must come forward and atone for their sins," he said.
Siddaramaiah said the government has set up a special task force to curb hate speech and prevent communal violence."We are taking stringent legal action, but public cooperation is crucial. Citizens must raise their voice, resist hate, and file complaints against those inciting division."
Commending law-enforcement authorities, Siddaramaiah added, "I congratulate the police personnel who foiled this sinister plot. I have full faith that the judiciary will deliver justice and ensure the perpetrators face the consequences of their horrific crime."