In a deeply worrying incident in Belagavi district, Karnataka, three individuals—including Sagar Patil, the taluk president of Sri Rama Sene—have been arrested for allegedly contaminating the drinking water tank at a government primary school in Hulikatti village. The motive, according to police and state officials, was to force the transfer of the school’s Muslim headmaster, Suleman Gorenayak, by causing illness among students and stirring communal unrest.
The contamination occurred on July 14, when a minor student—coerced by one of the accused with promises of money and chocolates—poured pesticide into the water tank. Subsequently, eleven children aged between 7–10 fell ill, though thankfully none suffered fatal injuries.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah strongly condemned the plot, calling it a “heinous act driven by religious hatred and fundamentalism.” He praised local police for preventing a potential tragedy and urged political leaders—including those associated with the BJP and Hindutva organisations—to introspect on fostering communal harmony.
The accused—Sagar Patil, Krishna Madar, and Naganagouda Patil—are now in judicial custody. Police are conducting a detailed investigation, including forensic examination of the contaminated tank and recovery of pesticide evidence.
