‘Pakistan Zindabad’
In a disturbing incident that has drawn national attention, a man was lynched by a mob for allegedly chanting “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans during a local cricket match in the Kudupu area of Karnataka, India.
The episode took place on April 27 near the Bhatra Kallurti Temple and has sparked widespread condemnation, with authorities pledging a thorough investigation into the brutal killing.
Karnataka’s Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the incident on Tuesday, describing it as “deeply concerning” and urging the public to avoid vigilantism. “Even if someone made provocative remarks, taking the law into one’s own hands is unacceptable,” Parameshwara said during a press briefing.
He emphasized that the state government is taking the case seriously, adding that law enforcement must be allowed to handle such matters in accordance with due process.
The identity of the victim remains unknown, and officials are still determining whether the man was a local resident or had come from outside the state. Preliminary investigations suggest the man allegedly shouted pro-Pakistan slogans during the match, which ignited tensions among attendees and triggered the mob assault.
According to a report by India Today, the incident unfolded around 3:00 PM during a cricket tournament. Eyewitnesses recounted that an argument first broke out between the victim and a man named Sachin. The altercation escalated rapidly into a violent group attack involving dozens of people.
Police authorities stated that Sachin, aged 26, is among the 15 people arrested so far in connection with the lynching. A postmortem examination conducted at Wenlock District Hospital revealed that the man died of internal bleeding and shock caused by repeated blunt force trauma to his back.
Investigators estimate that around 25 individuals participated in the assault. Nineteen have already been named in the First Information Report (FIR), with authorities relying on CCTV footage and mobile data to identify additional suspects.
As tensions simmer in the area, Minister Parameshwara has called on the public to maintain communal harmony, stressing that the region has historically upheld peace among communities and that such incidents must not be allowed to disrupt social unity.
