A viral post on X claims that Lingayat women are being targeted in Karnataka and alleges that the state government is ignoring these incidents because the accused belong to the Muslim community. The post demands an anti-“love jihad” law and asks how many more women must die before action is taken. It lists several names and incidents. We examined the cases and found that some details in the post are inaccurate or require further verification.
Khushi – Gadag
Khushi, a 15-year-old Class 9 student from Gajendragad in Gadag district, died by suicide on 16th Jan 2025. Her family alleged that two young men, identified as 18-year-old Mutturaj Myageri and 19-year-old Junaidsaab Kandagal, had been harassing her and pressuring her to enter a relationship.
According to reports based on the family's complaint, the two allegedly continued following and harassing her despite being warned by elders. The family approached the Gajendragad police, seeking action against them.
Neha Hiremath – Hubballi
Neha Hiremath, a 23-year-old student and daughter of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Congress corporator Niranjan Hiremath, was stabbed to death on her college campus on Apr 18, 2024.
The accused, Fayaz Khondunaik, was her former classmate. The Karnataka CID chargesheet stated that he murdered Neha after she refused to marry him. The chargesheet specifically ruled out a “love jihad” angle, despite the issue becoming a subject of political debate following the murder.
Mahalakshmi – Kalaburagi
We could not verify a murder case matching the viral post's description of a ninth-grade girl named Mahalakshmi being killed in Kalaburagi.
The closest matching incident reported in Feb 2024 involved a Class 10 student who was allegedly attacked with a knife by a Class 9 boy after she rejected his advances. Reports said she survived and was taken to hospital.
This appears to be a case that may have been incorrectly circulated with a different name and outcome. It should not be presented as a murder without further evidence.
ಧಾರವಾಡ ನೇಹಾ ಹಿರೇಮಠ್ - ಲಿಂಗಾಯತ ಕಲಬುರ್ಗಿ ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ - ಲಿಂಗಾಯತ ಗಜೇಂದ್ರಗಡ ಖುಷಿ - ಲಿಂಗಾಯತ ಸಕಲೇಶಪುರ ಹಿಮಾ - ಲಿಂಗಾಯತ ಒಟ್ಟು ತುರುಕರು ಲಿಂಗಾಯತರ ಮನೆ ಹೆಣ್ಣುಮಕ್ಕಳನ್ನ ಲವ್ ಜಿಹಾದ್ ಮಾಡಲು ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆ ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ, ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಚಪ್ಪಾಳೆ ತಟ್ಟುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಕುರ್ಚಿ ಉಳಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳೋಕೆ ಒದ್ದಾಡ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದಾನೆ https://t.co/7qTlvtv7Zu
— ಒಂಟಿಸಲಗ (@Kumaranna755) November 2, 2026
Hima – Hassan
A recent case reported on Nov 2, 2026, concerns Hima, an aeronautical engineering student from Sakleshpur in Hassan district, who died by suicide after her private photographs were allegedly shared on social media by a former boyfriend identified as Mohammed Naushad.
According to reports, Hima had tried to end the relationship following objections from her family. Her mother alleged that Naushad threatened to share more private photographs and pressured her to continue the relationship. The police have begun investigating the complaint.
The allegations concern online harassment and the non-consensual sharing of private images. The investigation will have to establish the accused's role and the circumstances surrounding her death.
These incidents span 2024 to 2026.
Given the number of crimes against women, these seem like nothing. Crimes against women are, unfortunately, a very common occurrence and should be a serious issue
These incidents must also not be dismissed or ignored, just because the accused involved belongs to the minority community. In each of these cases, the alleged perpetrators are accused of harming women who rejected advances, attempted to end relationships, or faced pressure and harassment. If any credible claim of "love jihad" is found or any coordinated attacks that should be immediately scrutinised and investigated by the authorities
Every woman has the right to refuse a relationship, end one, and protect her privacy without facing threats or violence. The focus must remain on accountability, effective policing, access to support and creating safer spaces where women can report harassment without fear of stigma or political exploitation.
This article does not intend to hurt the sentiments of the families involved. We hope they receive justice and that those found guilty face the strictest punishment permitted by law.
Helplines for support
Suicide and mental-health support: Tele-MANAS – 14416 or 1800-891-4416 (24-hour support).
Cybercrime complaints: 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline). Complaints can also be filed at cybercrime.gov.in.
Women in distress: 181 (Women Helpline).
Immediate emergency assistance: 112.
Comments