Violence erupted on a Chikkamagaluru college bus Friday, as two Hindu students endured a vicious attack from peers objecting to their seat next to a Muslim girl. The Sahyadri College incident has galvanized authorities, with CM Siddaramaiah promising ruthless pursuit of justice.
Busavanhalli police pieced together the sequence: Yogesh and friend Jayant, comfortably seated beside the Muslim student, triggered fury in Salim and Rashid. A verbal challenge escalated to blows; Yogesh’s phone was wrested away amid the frenzy.
Jayant’s intervention backfired, landing him blows too. Panicked college staff summoned police, who stormed the bus, rounded up protagonists, and initiated a thorough probe at the station.
This flare-up exposes simmering communal undercurrents in academia. Siddaramaiah, addressing the crisis head-on, tasked top brass with dismantling rogue enforcers. His ‘zero tolerance’ doctrine targets moral policing networks, ensuring no sanctuary for disruptors.
Stakeholders reflect on fostering tolerance through curricula reforms. As statements pour in, the focus shifts to preventive strategies like monitored commutes. The state’s resolve fortifies against division, championing unity in diverse learning spaces. Investigations promise transparency and accountability.