Thu Jun 12 08:47:24 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader has criticized former Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal and Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police N. Yathish for their alleged failure to effectively address hate speech and content on social media following the murder of former Bajrang Dal activist Suhas Shetty. Khader believes this inaction contributed to a deteriorating law and order situation, culminating in the murder of sand transporter Abdul Rahiman. He praised the new police chiefs for their swift and effective actions against hate-mongers, questioning why their predecessors failed to do the same. He also expressed concern over recent mob lynching and murders, emphasizing the need for harsh punishment for the perpetrators and the restoration of peace and harmony in Dakshina Kannada. Khader plans to request the Home Minister to investigate the previous officials’ inaction and to establish a standard operating procedure for handling hate speech.

**News Article:**

**Mangaluru Speaker Blasts Former Police Chiefs Over Hate Speech Inaction Following Spate of Murders**

**MANGALURU, June 12, 2025** – Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader has levied heavy criticism against former Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal and Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police N. Yathish, accusing them of negligence in addressing hate speech and inflammatory content on social media. Khader claims their failure to act effectively contributed to a decline in law and order and the subsequent murder of sand transporter Abdul Rahiman.

The criticism comes in the wake of a turbulent period in Dakshina Kannada, marked by the murder of former Bajrang Dal activist Suhas Shetty on May 1, preceded by the mob lynching of rag-picker Ashraf on April 27, and followed by Abdul Rahiman’s murder on May 27. Khader, speaking to reporters in Mangaluru upon his return from a Haj pilgrimage, expressed his dismay over the recent events.

“The new police chiefs are taking effective action and issues, which resulted from the spread of hate contents, have been addressed to about 90%. It makes me wonder why earlier officials failed to act effectively (against hate-mongers),” Khader stated.

He also highlighted that he had previously requested the former officials to trace hate-mongers operating from abroad, but they cited their inability to take action.

Khader is now advocating for a standard operating procedure to ensure consistency in how officials handle hate speech in the future. He announced his intention to write to Home Minister G. Parameshwara, urging him to investigate the reasons behind the former officials’ inaction and to implement a unified protocol.

“The mob lynching and two murders have hit the harmonious culture and lifestyle of Dakshina Kannada,” Khader emphasized, calling for collective efforts from the government and the public to restore peace and harmony in the district. He also demanded harsh imprisonment for all those found guilty in the recent violent incidents.

The Speaker’s comments underscore growing concerns about the handling of sensitive issues and the importance of proactive measures in maintaining communal harmony in the region.

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