Cong Minister Condemns BJP's "Saffron Extremism" Amid NIA's Detention Of BJP Worker In Bengaluru Blast Case

Karnataka Congress minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday slammed the BJP after the NIA reportedly detained a BJP worker named Sai Prasad from Theerthahalli in Shivamogga in connection with the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast case.

In a post on X, Congress minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "With the NIA arresting a BJP worker, does it not imply BJP's involvement in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast? Is there any clearer evidence that the saffron extremism propagated by the BJP in the name of religious protection is causing serious issues? What response does the central BJP, enforcing RSS ideologies nationwide, have to this?"

Without considering it as a national security issue, the state BJP had blamed Congress for the incident and it is time for the BJP leaders to answer, he added.

This recent development follows a series of NIA raids conducted about 10 days ago on numerous residences and stores in connection with the Rameswaram cafe bomb blast case, during which documents were seized.

The questioning of the BJP leader is suspected to be related to his connection with two individuals from a mobile shop who were previously interrogated by the NIA.

On March 1, the Brookfield outlet of The Rameshwaram Cafe was hit by a low intensity blast, leaving 10 people injured.

The Bengaluru Police registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Substances Act in connection with the explosion at the popular quick-service eatery.

On March 28, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a key conspirator in the blast case. Last week, Muzammil Shareef was picked and placed in custody as a co-conspirator after the agency cracked down at 18 locations, including 12 in Karnataka, five in Tamil Nadu and one in Uttar Pradesh.

It had also identified another conspirator, Abdul Matheen Taha, who is also wanted by the agency in other cases, a statement from the agency said.

NIA Responds To Reports

Meanwhile, the NIA has responded to the reports of a Shivamogga man being arrested in connection with the case. The statement claims that it has been summoning and examining all the acquaintances including college and school time friends of the absconding and accused arrested persons.

"The case being terror incident, any information on the identity of the witnesses may apart from the hampering investigation may also put to risk the individuals being summoned. Also, unverified news items hamper effective investigations in the case. NIA requests the cooperation of all in the arrest of absconding accused persons."