The BJP on Wednesday demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the death of Bajrang Dal member Deepak Rao near Surathkal in Dakshina Kannada district.
In a joint statement, BJP leaders R Ashoka and Ashwathnarayan also demanded the resignation of Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai "as they have failed to protect the lives of innocent people."
The saffron party blamed "jihadi forces" for Rao's death, drawing parallels with the recent killings of Hindu workers Sharath Madiwala and Paresh Mesta. "The number of Hindutva workers who have fallen to the murderous agenda of the jihadi forces has risen to 22. The BJP demands adequate compensation to the family of Deepak Rao," the statement issued in Bengaluru read.
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