BJP Leaders Warn of “1993 Like Situation” as Bhatkal Tension Deepens Over Murin Katte Dispute
Police tighten security in Bhatkal after protests, reconstruction work and inflammatory remarks by BJP leaders raise fresh communal concerns.
Bhatkal witnessed another tense night on Sunday as the controversy over the Murin Katte structure near National Highway 66 continued to escalate.
The dispute intensified after reconstruction work was carried out at the site under police protection. Later in the evening, a group of youths reportedly gathered near the spot and allegedly tried to damage the structure, creating a tense atmosphere in the area.
Senior police officials, including Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police M. Narayana Deepak, reached the location and held talks with local leaders and residents. Police appealed for calm and assured protesters that the status quo would be maintained until Monday morning.
Officials also said that the Deputy Commissioner would arrive from Karwar and hold discussions with all concerned parties before any further decision is taken.
The situation took a more serious turn after BJP leader Govinda Naik, former Uttara Kannada district BJP president, made strongly worded remarks while speaking to the media in the presence of former Bhatkal MLA Sunil Naik.
Govinda Naik accused the local Muslim organisation Majlis e Islah wa Tanzeem of supporting the protests and blamed Muslim youths for creating unrest. He warned that a “1993 like situation” could return if the matter was not controlled.
“We have been fighting them since 1993 and we will continue to fight. We will not leave them from tomorrow morning,” he said while addressing reporters.
He further said that anyone who stands against their religion, whether the government or Muslims, would receive a “proper answer.” He added that BJP workers would respond if the Congress government failed to control the situation.
Former MLA Sunil Naik also issued a strong statement, accusing minorities of trying to weaken Hindus and Hindu religious places. He said the Murin Katte was not a recent structure but part of a long standing tradition followed by elders and ancestors for generations.
Sunil Naik claimed that the structure had been built using public contributions from Hindus and not government funds. He said it was located near government land and had been shifted after the National Highway came up.
He also alleged that police personnel and Hindu workers had been attacked during the incident. He urged the Chief Minister and Home Minister to visit Bhatkal and take action against those responsible.
“If the police department registers FIRs and takes proper action, it is fine. Otherwise, in the coming days, Hindus will teach them a proper lesson,” Sunil Naik said in the statement.
The remarks from BJP leaders have sparked concern because of Bhatkal’s sensitive communal history. The town witnessed major communal violence in 1993, which led to deaths, destruction of property and deep divisions between communities.
Following the latest developments, police deployment has been increased in sensitive parts of Bhatkal. Authorities have appealed to the public not to believe rumours and to help maintain peace.