Muslim organizations observe bandh in Hubballi in Karnataka

Muslim organizations have announced that they will observe a voluntary bandh in Hubballi district of Karnataka on Monday, April 22, to condemn the murder of 24-year-old student Neha Hiremath. A silent protest march will also be held to demand the harshest punishment for the suspects.

Ismail Tamatgar, chairman of Anjuman-e-Islam in Dharwad, said all Muslim establishments will participate in the bandh from 10 am to 3 pm to express their condolences for the deceased and protest against the gruesome incident. He also said that in honor of Neha Hiremath, the Anjuman-e-Islam Society plans to name one of its blocks after her, inviting her parents to inaugurate it.

“Chicken shops, garage workshops, fruit sellers, banks and institutions will remain closed to condole the death and show our solidarity with the family. We will put up ‘Justice for Neha’ stickers in our shops,” Ismail Tamatgar, chairman of Anjuman-e-Islam Society, told reporters on April 21.

Ismail said the Muslim community is deeply saddened by this act and it has brought shame to the community, adding that no religion condones violence and killings. “We must strongly condemn such incidents, and there should be no tolerance for those who take the law into their own hands,” he said.