Karnataka Congress MP Sparks Outrage by Calling Rape and Murder ‘Minor Incident’

Koppal: Karnataka Congress MP K. Rajashekhar Hithnal has come under intense criticism after describing last year’s rape of a foreign tourist and the murder of another visitor in Sanpur village as a “minor incident.” His comments have sparked widespread outrage among locals, political leaders, and civil society groups.

The statement was made during the ‘Discover Koppal’ event held at the district administration office on Wednesday night. The program was jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism’s Bangalore unit and the District Tourism Committee.

MP Labels Serious Crimes as ‘Minor’
Addressing the gathering, MP Hithnal referred to the rape and murder in Sanpur as a “minor incident,” adding that such events should not occur because they negatively impact tourism. He repeated this assertion during his speech, leaving many attendees shocked and angered. Political leaders and members of the public condemned the remarks, saying they downplayed the severity of heinous crimes.

Political Leaders Condemn Statement
C.V. Chandrashekhar, member of the JD(S) State Core Committee, called the MP’s remarks “irresponsible” and stated that elected officials should focus on infrastructure development to boost tourism rather than minimizing serious lapses in law and order. BJP State Core Committee member Dr. Basavaraj Kyawater described the comments as “shocking and unacceptable,” noting that such statements are unbecoming of someone holding a constitutional position. He further warned that such remarks could encourage illegal activities and diminish the seriousness of crimes. Dr. Kyawater also pointed out that the number of tourists visiting the Annegondi area, which previously attracted over 3 million visitors annually, has dropped sharply following these incidents.

Public Backlash and MP’s Clarification
Following the backlash, MP Hithnal issued a clarification, acknowledging that the rape and murder in Sanpur were serious and tragic incidents that should never have occurred. Despite his clarification, he continues to face widespread criticism on social media. Women’s groups and social activists have denounced his comments as inappropriate and have demanded a formal apology.