Ajay Kumar at 07:11, 24 August 2023

2023-08-24T07:11:36Z

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{{short description|2020 religiously motivated riots in Bangalore, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2020 Bangalore riots
| image = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Damages in 2020 Bangalore riots - cc-by-3.0.jpg
| photo2a = Damages in 2020 Bangalore riots - cc-by-3.0 (b).jpg
| color = #000000
| size = 350
| position = centre
| foot_montage =
(top) Vehicles were set on fire during the rioting.<br>
(bottom) Firefighter extinguishing the fire.
}}
| date = August 11 – August 12, 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bangalore-riots-karnataka-to-approach-hc-for-help-on-recovery-of-cost-from-rioters/story-t0rrYkPv4Oyulrg6FHAWLK.html|title = Bangalore riots: Karnataka to approach HC for help on recovery of cost from rioters|date = 17 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/bengaluru-violence-dj-halli-kg-halli-srinivas-murthy-derogatory-social-media-post-6551265/|title=Bengaluru: Man behind social media post that trigged violence arrested|date=13 August 2020}}</ref>
| place = [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
* Kaval Byrasandra
* [[Devara Jeevanahalli]] Police Station
* Kadugondanahalli Police Station
| causes = alleged [[Islam and blasphemy|blasphemous]] [[Facebook]] post on [[Muhammad]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 August 2020|title=Three killed in Bangalore clashes over Prophet Muhammad post|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-53747331|access-date=12 August 2020|website=BBC|language=en-US}}</ref>
| methods = {{Hlist|[[arson]]|[[Stone throwing|stone pelting]] and [[Bangalore Police|assault on police]]}}
| result =
| injuries = 30–80 policemen
| fatalities = 3 in police firing
| arrests = 206 (including detained)<ref name="DHarrested">{{Cite web|date=2020-08-14|title=Bengaluru riots, 60 more arrests including BBMP corporator's husband|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/city/bengaluru-riots-60-more-arrests-including-bbmp-corporators-husband-873093.html|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref name="IEarrested">{{Cite web|date=14 August 2020|title=Bengaluru violence: Congress corporator's husband among 60 more arrested|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/bengaluru-violence-congress-corporators-husband-among-60-more-arrested-6554768/|access-date=2020-08-14|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
| damage = Residence of accused, cars, police station burnt .
}}

On the night of 11 August and the early hours of 12 August 2020, violent clashes took place around the residence of a legislator and the [[Police station|police stations]] of KG Halli and [[Devara Jeevanahalli|DJ Halli]]<ref name=":2" /> of the Indian city of [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name="ReutersDesertedStreets12Aug">{{Cite news|last1=Ravikumar|first1=Sachin|last2=Monnappa|first2=Chandini|date=2020-08-12|title=Police patrol deserted Bengaluru streets after Facebook post sparks clashes|work=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-violence-bengaluru-idUSKCN2572TD}}</ref> Provoked by an [[Blasphemy|inflammatory]] [[Facebook]] post on [[Muhammad]] that was allegedly shared by the [[nephew]] of [[Akhanda Srinivas Murthy]], a state [[legislator]] of the [[Indian National Congress]],<ref name=":022">{{cite news|date=12 August 2020|title=Mob attacks Bengaluru MLA's house over relative's FB post; 3 dead in police firing|language=en|work=[[Tribune India]]|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/mob-attacks-bengaluru-mlas-house-over-relatives-fb-post-3-dead-in-police-firing-125502}}</ref> a group of Muslims arrived at his house in protest which later turned violent.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-12|title=3 killed in southern India in clashes over Facebook post|url=https://apnews.com/b20af05fe71fa745ca733e71de358ccf|access-date=2020-09-07|website=AP NEWS}}</ref><ref name=":42" />

The clashes between the [[police]] and the mobs happened around the residence of the legislator and the [[Police station|police stations]] of KG Halli and [[Devara Jeevanahalli|DJ Halli]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Arakal|first=Ralph Alex|date=2020-08-12|title=Bengaluru: Man behind social media post that {{sic|nolink=y|trigged}} violence arrested|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/bengaluru-violence-dj-halli-kg-halli-srinivas-murthy-derogatory-social-media-post-6551265/|website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> The incident resulted in the imposition of a [[curfew]] in the affected areas.<ref name=":5" /> 3 people were killed after [[Police firearm use by country|police opened fire]] on the crowds.<ref>{{cite news|title=Three killed in Bangalore clashes over Prophet Muhammad post|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-53747331|publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=12 August 2020|title=Deadly clashes in India's Bengaluru over Facebook post on Prophet|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/india-deadly-violence-breaks-bengaluru-facebook-post-200812033701368.html|access-date=2020-08-15|work=Al Jazeera}}</ref> 30–80 policemen<ref name=":42" /> and several journalists, were injured by armed assailants.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Prasanna|first=Pooja|date=12 August 2020|title=How two police stations in Bengaluru became targets of mob violence on Tuesday night|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-two-police-stations-bengaluru-became-targets-mob-violence-tuesday-night-130579|website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref> Murthy's property was [[Arson|torched]] during the period of violence.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news|last=Bharadwaj|first=Aditya|date=2020-08-12|title=Three killed, 5 injured in police firing as riots break out over FB post in Bengaluru|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/at-least-three-killed-in-police-firing-as-riots-break-out-over-fb-post-in-bengaluru/article32331790.ece|access-date=2020-08-12|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The following day, over 100 people were [[Arrest|arrested]] by the police.<ref name=":04">{{Cite web|date=2020-08-12|editor-first=Meenakshi|editor-last=Ray|title=Bengaluru violence: Strong mob had gathered, pelted stones at police, says eyewitness|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bengaluru-violence-60-000-strong-mob-had-gathered-pelted-stones-at-police-says-eyewitness/story-crI8IxdZtKJ6XMpglHNgHM.html|access-date=2020-08-13|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> Some of the crowds were also allegedly led by members of the [[Social Democratic Party of India]] (SDPI),<ref name=":3" /> and has led to the arrest of a few of its leaders.<ref>{{Cite web|last=S.|first=Rajashekara|date=13 August 2020|title=The Dark Night: Three killed, 146 arrested, several vehicles torched after MLA's nephew posts a derogatory message|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/the-dark-night-three-killed-146-arrested-several-vehicles-torched-after-mlas-nephew-posts-a-derogatory-message/articleshow/77513376.cms|website=[[Bangalore Mirror]]|language=en}}</ref>

== Incident ==
On 11 August 2020, the nephew of an [[Indian National Congress]] state legislator Akhanda Srinivas Murthee{{efn|elected as the representative of [[Pulakeshinagar (Vidhana Sabha constituency)|Pulakeshinagar (SC) constituency]]|name=|group=}} allegedly posted a derogatory remark on Facebook that targeted the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]].<ref name="Times3Dead12Aug2">{{Cite news|last=Tomlinson|first=Hugh|date=12 August 2020|title=Three dead in riots sparked by anti-Islam Facebook post|work=[[The Times]]|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/5pm-1gm-hfwdxr2hr|url-access=subscription|issn=0140-0460}}</ref> The post went viral in the area and people began gathering in front of the legislator's residence in Kaval Byrasandra in protest, demanding that the accused be arrested.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-12|title=Bengaluru: Three people killed in police firing after violence breaks out over Facebook post|url=https://scroll.in/latest/970103/karnataka-violence-breaks-out-in-bengaluru-over-alleged-derogatory-facebook-post|website=[[Scroll.in]]|language=en-US}}</ref> The police sent two teams from the DJ Halli station to detain the nephew.<ref name=":032">{{Cite web|last=Dev|first=Arun|date=2020-08-12|title=How An Angry Mob Launched Two Violent Attacks in Bengaluru|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/bengaluru-riots-how-two-simultaneous-attacks-shook-bengaluru-on-11-august|website=[[The Quint]]}}</ref>

According to the police, at around 8{{nbsp}}p.m., small groups had arrived at Kaval Byrasandra, following which hundreds started gathering around the DJ Halli police station, demanding action against those responsible for the social media message.<ref name=":2"/> Members of the SDPI were reportedly present in the crowd at DJ Halli. The people present there tried to report a complaint but claimed that the police were not acting swiftly, which agitated the crowd.<ref name=":3"/><ref name=":032" />

''[[The News Minute]]'' reported there were 17–20 Muslims protesting in front of the legislator's residence at 8:30{{nbsp}}p.m., however within the next hour the numbers swelled to around 200, joined by people armed with sticks, petrol and kerosene cans.<ref name=":3" /> This crowd began throwing stones, vandalising the residence and eventually set a part of the property on fire.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":12" /> The legislator and his family were not present inside the residence at the time of the attack.<ref name=":12"/> The mob reportedly also indulged in looting at the residence; according to Murthy, ornaments and ''[[Sari|sarees]]'' went missing from his house.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=12 August 2020|title=Congress MLA, Whose House Was Burnt In Bengaluru Violence, Seeks Police Protection|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-congress-mla-whose-house-was-burnt-in-bengaluru-violence-seeks-police-protection/358523|access-date=2020-08-13|website=[[Outlook India]]}}</ref>

Meanwhile, the police at DJ Halli station attempted to defuse the tension with the assistance of local community members<ref name=":42">{{Cite web|last=Sayeed|first=Vikhar Ahmed|date=12 August 2020|title=Three dead after protests over a social media post turn violent in Bengaluru|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/dispatches/three-dead-after-protests-over-a-social-media-post-turn-violent-in-bengaluru/article32333769.ece|website=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":032" /> but when one of the teams returned without the accused, the crowd forcefully entered the station, vandalised it and even set police vehicles on fire.<ref name=":032" /><ref name=":3" /> At 10:30{{Nbsp}}p.m., two other Congress state legislators [[Zameer Ahmed Khan]] and [[Rizwan Arshad]] arrived at the DJ Halli station to help subdue the situation but the violence had reportedly gotten out of control by this time.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Bellie|date=13 August 2020|title=Bengaluru violence: Police delay allowed matters to go out of hand: MLAs|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/police-delay-allowed-matters-to-go-out-of-hand-mlas/articleshow/77513943.cms|website=[[Bangalore Mirror]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":42" /> The [[Bengaluru Police Commissioner]], Kamal Pant also arrived around the same time.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-12|title=Bengaluru violence updates: Section 144 imposed in DJ Halli, KG Halli till 6 am on August 16|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/bengaluru-violence-updates-section-144-imposed-in-dj-halli-kg-halli-till-6-am-on-august-16-872289.html|website=[[Deccan Herald]]|language=en}}</ref> Between 11:00 p.m and 12:30 a.m, a group of Muslim youths also formed a human chain around the local temple near DJ Halli station to protect it in case of any escalation.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chatterjee|first=Soumya|date=2020-08-13|title=B'luru Violence: Muslim Youths Form Human Chain to Protect Temple|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/bengaluru-violence-muslim-youth-form-human-chain-to-protect-temple|website=[[The Quint]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":12" /> According to a later testimony from the police, that fortunately "the riots did not snowball into a communal riot".<ref name=":12" /> Eventually the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) had to be called in to [[Crowd control|disperse the crowd]] and free the policemen trapped inside the station. The KSRP began by lathi charges, proceeded to firing tear gas, then firing warning shots and eventually fired live rounds at the crowd.<ref name=":032" />

In Kaval Byrasandra, by 10:30 p.m the mob at Murthy's house had moved to his nephew's residence, demanding that he be handed over to them and on receiving no response barged in, vandalised and looted the house. The resident family took refuge in a neighbor's house by climbing through parapets. The family's car was burned down as well. The mob eventually moved around the neighborhood setting fire to several cars and a bar.<ref name=":032" /> Around 11{{nbsp}}p.m., rumours started spreading that a neighbouring police station, KG Halli, was protecting the legislator's nephew.<ref name=":3" /> During the confrontation with the police in DJ Halli, a section of the mob dispersed and a new mob was formed at KG Halli that attempted to enter the station. However, this mob was met with stronger resistance from the police and in the end resorted to burning down cars parked outside.<ref name=":032" /> Several policemen and journalists outside the station were injured by the armed mob.<ref name=":3" /> The crowds eventually scattered after the police at DJ Halli station began firing.<ref name=":032" />

According to ''[[The Hindu]]'', the total number of participants in the mobs amounted to 2000 while the police firing at DJ Halli resulted in the death of 3 people.<ref name=":122">{{Cite news|last=Bharadwaj|first=Aditya|date=2020-08-12|title=Three killed, 5 injured in police firing as riots break out over FB post in Bengaluru|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/at-least-three-killed-in-police-firing-as-riots-break-out-over-fb-post-in-bengaluru/article32331790.ece|access-date=2020-08-12|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The deaths were later confirmed by the city police commissioner, according to whom at least 1000 people were involved.<ref name=":2" /> Between 1{{nbsp}}a.m. and 5{{nbsp}}a.m., the police began clearing the streets while identifying and arresting those involved in the violence.<ref name="StatesmanTookFiring12Aug">{{Cite web|date=2020-08-12|title='It took police firing to control Bengaluru riot'|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/took-police-firing-control-bengaluru-riot-1502916466.html|website=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]]|language=en-US|agency=[[IANS]]}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
=== Investigation ===
On 12 August 2020, the JCP (Crime) Bengaluru, Sandeep Patil reported that 110 people had been arrested in relation with the violence.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2020-08-12|title=Bengaluru violence: Strong mob had gathered, pelted stones at police, says eyewitness|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bengaluru-violence-60-000-strong-mob-had-gathered-pelted-stones-at-police-says-eyewitness/story-crI8IxdZtKJ6XMpglHNgHM.html|access-date=2020-08-13|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> The accused were charged under [[attempt to murder]] and obstruction of a public servant.<ref name="StatesmanTookFiring12Aug"/> The Bengaluru [[Police Commissioner]], Kamal Pant, stated that a curfew was enforced in the DJ Halli and KG Halli police jurisdictions while [[section 144]] imposed in the rest of the city. Later in the same day, Pant extended the curfew till 6{{nbsp}}a.m. of 15 August.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=12 August 2020|title=Bengaluru Violence: Bengaluru police chief Kamal Pant extends curfew up to 6 am on August 15|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/bengaluru-violence-latest-updates-section-144-imposed-in-the-city-curfew-in-dj-halli-kg-halli-police-station-limits/articleshow/77497309.cms|website=[[Bangalore Mirror]]}}</ref> The Central Crime Branch DCP, Kuldeep Jain justified the [[Deadly force|police firing]] and stated that [[due process]] was followed. According to his testimony, the police attempted to convince the mob but they had instead turned violent and begun throwing stones at the police due to which additional forces had to be brought in.<ref name="StatesmanTookFiring12Aug" /> The Home Minister [[Basavaraj Bommai]] also stated that the police had to resort to firing to bring the situation under control.<ref name=":2" />

The families of those killed in the firing claimed they were simply bystanders and did not take part in the violence,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-13|title=Victims weren't part of mob: Relatives|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/victims-werent-part-of-mob-relatives-872663.html|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref> as did the family members of many arrested.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|date=Aug 13, 2020|first=Pragna L. |last=Krupa|title=Bengaluru violence: Our kids innocent, claim families of the arrested|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/our-kids-innocent-claim-families-of-the-arrested/articleshow/77514395.cms|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Bangalore Mirror}}</ref> The legislator's nephew, who made the objectionable post, was also arrested. However, he claimed that his Facebook account was hacked,<ref>{{cite news|date=12 August 2020|title=Bangalore: At least 3 dead, 150 arrested after violence erupts over alleged derogatory social media post about Prophet|work=DNA India|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-bangalore-at-least-3-dead-150-arrested-after-violence-erupts-over-alleged-derogatory-social-media-post-about-prophet-2837238|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref> while his father claimed his phone had been stolen two days before the post.<ref name=":6" /> His uncle, the legislator, filed an FIR for the destruction of his ancestral house, claiming 3 crores loss, and sought police protection for himself and his family.<ref name=":4"/><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=2020-08-14|title=Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasamurthy files complaint regarding attack on his house, claims loss runs upto Rs 3 crore|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/congress-mla-akhanda-srinivasamurthy-files-complaint-regarding-attack-on-his-house-claims-loss-runs-upto-rs-3-crore-873237.html|access-date=2020-09-07|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref>

On 14 August 2020, the Bengaluru Police Commissioner reported that 60 more people were arrested in night operations on 14 August, bringing the total arrested to 206. One of them, the husband of a BBMP corporator, was the 7th accused in the First Information Report filed, according to which, he was one of the "conspirators." 80 of the arrested were shifted to a jail in [[Bellary|Ballari]].<ref name="DHarrested"/><ref name="IEarrested"/>

Several politicians were charged in the riots including former mayor [[R. Sampath Raj]] and one of his corporators were taken into custody on 17 November and 3 December respectively. Raj absconded for 6 weeks after escaping a hospital where he was undergoing treatment for COVID-19. Police claim Raj inflamed the riots in order to weaken Murthy, who he saw as his political rival, and filed charges against him relating to arson at Murthy's residence.<ref>{{Cite web|last=HM|first=Chaitanya Swamy|date=2020-12-03|title=Bengaluru riots: Corporator Rakeeb Zakir arrested|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/city/bengaluru-riots-corporator-rakeeb-zakir-arrested-922738.html|access-date=2020-12-04|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref>

==== Trial ====
In February 2022, the supreme court rejected the bail applications of five accused; Shaikh Muhammed Bilal, Syed Asif, Mohammed Atif, Naqeeb Pasha And Syed Ikramuddin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kakkar |first=Shruti |date=2022-02-28 |title=Bengaluru Riots Case: Supreme Court Rejects Bail Plea Of Accused |url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/bengaluru-riots-case-supreme-court-rejects-bail-plea-of-accused-193022 |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en}}</ref>

=== Response ===
Several Muslim community leaders visited the Akhanda Srinivas Murthy's house and prayed there, and one offered to reconstruct it. The legislator himself claimed he had a "brotherly" relationship with everyone, and that he did not know why anyone wanted to burn down his house. He also called for action against the sharer of the offending post.<ref name=":7" />

[[B. S. Yediyurappa]], Chief Minister of [[Karnataka]], ordered strict action against rioters involved.<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 August 2020|title=3 dead after violent clashes erupt in Bengaluru, Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa assures strict action against accused|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/3-dead-after-violent-clashes-erupt-in-bengaluru-karnataka-cm-bs-yediyurappa-assures-strict-action-against-accused-2302179.html|access-date=12 August 2020|website=Zee News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Aug 12 |title=Bengaluru violence: BS Yediyurappa assures strict action against accused, appeals for peace {{!}} Bengaluru News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/bengaluru-violence-bs-yediyurappa-assures-strict-action-against-accused-appeals-for-peace/articleshow/77497723.cms |access-date=14 August 2020 |work=The Times of India |agency=ANI |date=12 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Congress leader and former Chief Minister of the state [[Siddaramaiah]] called for calm and condemned both the riots and the post that incited them, and called for the arrest of those who instigated them.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shenoy|first=Jaideep|date=Aug 12, 2020|title=Siddaramaiah's appeal for calm over Bengaluru violence makes saffron leaders see red|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/siddaramaiahs-appeal-for-calm-over-bengaluru-violence-makes-saffron-leaders-see-red/articleshow/77503545.cms|access-date=2020-08-14|website=The Times of India|location=Mangaluru}}</ref>{{bsn|date=August 2020}} Congress also summoned a legislator meeting over the violence.<ref>{{Cite web|date=Aug 12, 2020|title=Karnataka Congress summons legislators meet over Bengaluru violence|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/karnataka-congress-summons-legislators-meet-over-bengaluru-violence/articleshow/77499571.cms|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Bangalore Mirror|agency=ANI}}</ref> Leaders in the SDPI denied involvement in the violence and claimed it only occurred due to "police inaction against blasphemy and failure of intelligence," and criticized the police for "unecessarily dragging" their leaders into the incident.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-12|title=SDPI denies role in Bengaluru violence|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/city/bengaluru-politics/sdpi-denies-role-in-bengaluru-violence-872558.html|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>

The riots quickly became politicized, with politicians from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] accusing Congress of having links with the riots.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=Aug 13, 2020|title=Political war on Twitter after Bengaluru violence|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/political-war-on-twitter/articleshow/77514460.cms|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Bangalore Mirror}}</ref> BJP National Secretary [[B. L. Santhosh]] criticized the Congress for allegedly supporting the "right to riot" and engaging in "appeasement" (towards Muslims). Since the legislator is [[Dalit]], many BJP leaders also accused Congress of being "anti-Dalit."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-13|title=Bengaluru riot fallout: BJP, Congress spar over Dalit rights|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/city/bengaluru-politics/bengaluru-riot-fallout-bjp-congress-spar-over-dalit-rights-872952.html|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Congress leader [[Priyank M. Kharge]] alleged the statements of Santosh were attempts to communalise the incident.<ref name=":1" /> Congress also criticized the Karnataka government for failing to prevent the incident, with spokesman [[Randeep Surjewala]] claiming they represented "complete failure of law and order machinery."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-12|title=Bengaluru riot: Was Yediyurappa government sleeping, asks Congress|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/karnataka-politics/bengaluru-riot-was-yediyurappa-government-sleeping-asks-congress-872540.html|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>

[[R. Ashoka]], Revenue Minister of Karnataka, claimed the mob had "plans to move to Shivajinagar" afterwards and they had "everything they needed to create violence ready."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-12|title=All rioting accused will be found, caught: R Ashoka|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/all-rioting-accused-will-be-found-caught-r-ashoka-872416.html|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref> Karnataka tourism minister [[C. T. Ravi]] and Bengaluru South MP [[Tejasvi Surya]] demanded compensation for damaged property be forcibly provided by known participants in the riots, a policy proposed by [[Yogi Adityanath]]-led Uttar Pradesh following [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests in Uttar Pradesh|anti-CAA protests]] there.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Maya Sharma|author2=Anindita Sanyal|date=12 August 2020|title=Will Do Asset Recovery Like UP: Karnataka Minister After Bengaluru Clash|work=NDTV|url=https://www.ndtv.com/karnataka-news/will-do-asset-recovery-like-up-karnataka-minister-after-bengaluru-clash-2278446|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="IndiaToday1">{{cite news |author1=Nagarjun Dwarakanath |title=Bengaluru riots were planned, will recover damages from rioters: Karnataka govt |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bengaluru-riots-planned-karnataka-govt-damages-rioters-1710475-2020-08-12 |access-date=12 August 2020 |work=India Today |date=12 August 2020 }}</ref> Several opposition leaders, including [[Janata Dal (Secular)]] leader [[H. D. Kumaraswamy]] and Karnataka Congress president [[D. K. Shivakumar]] also claimed the riots were a "planned conspiracy."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-12|title=Congress, BJP, JD(S) condemn Bengaluru riots, say they were planned|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/city/congress-bjp-jds-condemn-bengaluru-riots-say-they-were-planned-872380.html|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of riots in India]]
* [[Bangalore disturbances]]
* [[Religious violence in India]]
* [[Islam and blasphemy]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite web|last=Dev|first=Arun|date=2020-08-12|title=How An Angry Mob Launched Two Violent Attacks in Bengaluru|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/bengaluru-riots-how-two-simultaneous-attacks-shook-bengaluru-on-11-august|website=[[The Quint]]|language=en}}
* {{Cite web|last=Prasanna|first=Pooja|date=12 August 2020|title=How two police stations in Bengaluru became targets of mob violence on Tuesday night|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-two-police-stations-bengaluru-became-targets-mob-violence-tuesday-night-130579|website=[[The News Minute]]}}

{{Riots in India}}

[[Category:2020 crimes in India]]
[[Category:2020 riots]]
[[Category:2020s in Bangalore]]
[[Category:Arson in India]]
[[Category:Arson in the 2020s]]
[[Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2020]]
[[Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in India]]
[[Category:August 2020 events in India]]
[[Category:Crime in Bangalore]]
[[Category:Religious riots]]
[[Category:Religiously motivated violence in India]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in India]]

2020 Bangalore riots - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 07:11, 24 August 2023