Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's visiting the family of the slain BJP Yuva Morcha leader, Praveen Nettaru and handing over a cheque of Rs 25 lakh from the state government relief fund has been criticised as a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution.
The deprivation of such assurance and any visit from the CM to the family of Masud, who was killed a week ago under the same Bellare Police Station limits, instigated the opposition parties and human rights activists to raise discrimination charges against the CM.
Visiting Praveen Nettaru's family, Bommai handed over a cheque of Rs 25 lakh and assured that all the people who were involved in the murder would be given severe punishment.
"We are not treating this as a case of murder. It is considered a planned act of terrorism to tear apart the country. An investigation has begun," he said to the media after the visit. Bommai also said that the government has initiated steps to ban the Popular Front of India.
The Chief Minister did not say anything about the killing of Masud and made any offer to his family. The 19-year-old Masud was a painter from Kerala, who succumbed to injuries, two days after having been assaulted by a group of people near his house on July 19.
Masud was said to have not been associated with any political or religious organisation but the people who have arrested in connection with his death belonged to Hindu organisations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal.
Leaders from the opposition parties have criticised CM Bommai for discrimination for not providing compensation to Masud's family. Leader of Opposition, Siddaramaiah, too questioned why CM Bommai did not visit the family of Masud.
By giving financial compensation only to one family and not to the other, Bommai has violated Article 14 of the Constitution, said BT Venkatesh, a human rights advocate. Article 14 refers to equality before the law.