Bengaluru, October 21, 2025 – In a charged session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, BJP MLA from Yelahanka, SR Vishwanath, has triggered a massive political storm with his provocative comments linking the surge in Bengaluru's crime rates to "outsiders" and migrants. Speaking directly to Home Minister G Parameshwara, Vishwanath demanded "tougher policing" against alleged migrant offenders, controversially suggesting that police should "shoot above the leg" when dealing with such criminals. The remarks, made amid escalating public concerns over urban safety, have drawn sharp condemnation from opposition leaders, civil society groups, and migrant rights activists, who accuse the BJP of stoking xenophobia ahead of key state elections.
Vishwanath's outburst came during a debate on law and order in the state capital, where he claimed that "a major portion of crimes in Bengaluru are committed by individuals from outside the city." He pointed to recent high-profile incidents to bolster his argument, including a violent clash between groups of Nepali nationals at Lalbagh Botanical Gardens during Holi celebrations earlier this year, which resulted in arrests after assaults with sticks and water bottles left visitors in panic. He also referenced the brutal murder of three Bihar laborers at a construction site in Bengaluru, where two victims were found dead on the third floor of a building, and the third succumbed en route to the hospital following a heated dispute. Additionally, Vishwanath invoked the horrific case of Mahalakshmi, a Bengaluru woman dismembered into over 50 pieces by her boyfriend from Odisha, whose remains were discovered in a refrigerator months ago – a tragedy that still haunts the city's collective memory.
"Why are these outsider criminals not being dealt with more sternly?" Vishwanath thundered in the assembly, his voice rising as he addressed the home minister. "We need to shoot them slightly above the leg – a special method to handle these heinous acts." Supporters within the BJP ranks have defended the Yelahanka MLA, arguing that his words reflect the "ground reality" of unchecked migration straining Bengaluru's resources and security. Local Kannada activist groups, long vocal about the influx of non-Kannadigas, echoed this sentiment, claiming it burdens the city's law enforcement and cultural fabric.
However, the statement has unleashed a torrent of backlash. Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, swiftly condemned Vishwanath's rhetoric as "irresponsible and divisive," warning that it risks alienating millions of migrant workers who form the backbone of Bengaluru's IT, construction, and service sectors. "This is not justice; it's vigilantism wrapped in prejudice," Siddaramaiah posted on X (formerly Twitter) late Monday evening. Women's rights organizations and labor unions, such as the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union, have also weighed in, highlighting how such comments perpetuate stereotypes against vulnerable communities from Bihar, Odisha, Nepal, and other states. "Blaming migrants ignores systemic failures in policing and urban planning," said activist Kavita Krishnan in a statement to media outlets.
The controversy arrives at a sensitive time, just days after Police Commemoration Day tributes across Karnataka honored fallen officers amid ongoing Maoist threats and post-Diwali air quality woes. Bengaluru, India's Silicon Valley, has seen a 15% spike in reported crimes year-on-year, according to state police data, fueling debates on everything from inadequate surveillance to economic disparities driving petty thefts and violent outbursts. Critics point out that Vishwanath's "shoot above the leg" proposal evokes extrajudicial measures reminiscent of "encounter killings" in other states, raising human rights alarms. Amnesty International, in its recent India report, has already flagged similar trends of targeting minorities and migrants through aggressive policing.
As the row simmers, the BJP high command has remained tight-lipped, with party spokesperson BY Vijayendra urging "calm discourse" without directly addressing Vishwanath's words. Meanwhile, migrant advocacy groups plan protests outside Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, demanding an apology and stricter guidelines against hate speech in legislative debates. Home Minister Parameshwara, when reached for comment, reiterated the government's commitment to "impartial law enforcement," adding, "Crime knows no borders, and neither should our response."
This incident underscores deepening fault lines in Karnataka's polity, where economic migration – vital to the state's ₹25 lakh crore economy – clashes with nativist sentiments. As Bengaluru grapples with its identity as a cosmopolitan hub, Vishwanath's remarks serve as a stark reminder of how quickly public safety discourse can veer into dangerous territory. The assembly session resumes tomorrow, with opposition MLAs vowing to raise the issue under privilege motion.
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