Suhas Shetty Attack in Mangalore Karnataka: Reason, Reaction, Bandh
A brutal attack has shaken the communally sensitive coastal belt of Karnataka once again. Suhas Shetty — a former Bajrang Dal member, A popular Hindu activist and the prime accused in the 2022 Surathkal murder case — has been hacked with lethal weapons in broad daylight. But here’s what’s setting off political alarms across the Karnataka state. It’s not just a gang attack — this could be the spark that reignites an already volatile communal powder keg, with VHP calling for a bandh and BJP leaders rushing to the hospital.
Suhas Shetty a popular Hindu Activist & Worker was killed in Mangaluru.
— The Jaipur Dialogues (@JaipurDialogues) May 1, 2025
That's what happens when you elect Jihadis in the state. https://t.co/gSPuOtpbc7
Who Was Suhas Shetty and How Was He Attacked?
Suhas Shetty, a 30-year-old former member of Bajrang Dal’s Go Raksha Division, was a prominent Hindu activist in Mangaluru. He was also a controversial figure, notably accused in the 2022 murder of Mohammed Fazil, a 23-year-old Muslim man from Mangalapete in Katipalla. Fazil’s killing, allegedly in retaliation for the murder of BJP youth leader Praveen Nettaru, had previously fueled communal tensions in the coastal region. Shetty, who had a criminal record with multiple cases, including murder and attempted murder, was out on bail at the time of his death.
On the evening of May 1, Shetty was brutally attacked near Kinnipadavu, Bajpe, on the outskirts of Mangaluru. According to reports, six unidentified assailants, arriving in a Swift car and a pickup truck, intercepted Shetty’s vehicle around 8:30 PM. Armed with deadly weapons, they assaulted Shetty and his companions, inflicting fatal injuries. Shetty succumbed to his wounds at a private hospital, while another person in the car was injured. Local MLA Bharath Shetty described the attack as a “planned murder” and raised concerns about the safety of Hindu activists, calling for swift police action against “anti-social elements.”
Police Response and Measures to Maintain Order
In response to Shetty’s murder, the Mangaluru Police acted quickly to prevent potential violence. They imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across the city, effective from 6 AM on May 2 to 6 AM on May 6. These orders ban public gatherings, protests, carrying weapons, and provocative acts to maintain public order. Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal, also the additional district magistrate, stated that the measures aim to prevent flare-ups, especially given Shetty’s affiliations and the region’s history of communal tensions. Four investigative teams have been formed, and CCTV footage has helped identify some suspects, though the motive remains unclear. Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara emphasized that the government is treating the case with urgency and will ensure justice, regardless of the perpetrators’ affiliations.
VHP Calls for Bandh in Dakshina Kannada
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) condemned Shetty’s murder and called for a voluntary bandh in Dakshina Kannada on May 2, from 6 AM to 6 PM, to protest the incident. VHP leader Sharan Pumpwell urged Hindu communities to shut down businesses, public transport, and services as a mark of solidarity. The bandh saw isolated incidents of stone-pelting on buses, prompting increased police deployment across Mangaluru to prevent further unrest.
The murder of Suhas Shetty has reignited tensions in Mangaluru, a city with a history of communal strife. The police’s proactive measures and the VHP’s bandh reflect the delicate balance needed to maintain peace in the region. As investigations continue, authorities remain vigilant to ensure public safety.
