Vinayak Baliga Murder: MLC Hariprasad slams ‘Sangh hypocrisy’, seeks justice on 10th anniversary

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 23, 2026: As the criminal proceedings in the infamous Vinayak Baliga murder case continue to languish in court, a group of like-minded organisations staged a procession and public meeting to demand justice, marking the completion of ten years since the killing. The event, held on Sunday, March 22, under the banner of Deshapremi Sanghatanegala Okkoota, was attended by several prominent social activists, including noted rationalist Prof. Narendra Nayak, CPI(M) district secretary Muneer Katipalla, psychiatrist Dr. P. V. Bhandary, political leaders Amrit Shenoy and Manjula Nayak, B. Shekhar, and senior DSS leaders M. Devadas and M. G. Hegde. Senior Congress leader and Member of the Legislative Council, B. K. Hariprasad, was the keynote speaker.

It may be recalled that Vinayak Baliga, an RTI activist, was brutally hacked to death near his residence in Kodialbail in the city on March 21, 2016. Police filed a charge sheet against Naresh Shenoy, Shrikanth, Shivaprasad, Vinit Poojary, Nishit Devadiga, Shailesh, and Manjunath Shenoy. The police charge sheet cites Baliga’s investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the management of Sri Venkatramana Temple, Car Street, as the motive for the crime.

Addressing the gathering, B. K. Hariprasad expressed sympathy for Vinayak Baliga’s family and launched a strong attack on what he termed the hypocrisy of the Sangh Parivar, which, he said, has conspicuously ignored Baliga’s murder despite his association with their fold and the fact that he paid the ultimate price for a cause the Parivar claims to uphold.

Stating that he did not personally know Baliga, Hariprasad said he had nevertheless come to seek justice for his murder. “He was an RTI activist and a BJP worker. I, a Congressman, have come here to seek justice,” he said. Describing the situation as paradoxical, he added, “I am a staunch opponent of the RSS. Yet today, I am supporting the fight for justice for a Hindutva activist. Some may interpret or mock this in different ways, but I am not afraid.”
He stressed that justice must be ensured for Baliga’s family and said he was willing to facilitate government compensation if required, besides arranging competent legal counsel to pursue the case effectively in court.

Highlighting what he described as the double standards of the Sangh Parivar, Hariprasad said Baliga had not engaged in any anti-Hindu activities, nor was he involved in “love jihad” or cattle smuggling. “As a Hindutva activist, he questioned corruption in society using the constitutional provisions of the Right to Information Act. He exposed irregularities in the Venkataramana Temple and questioned the diversion of devotees’ money. It was for this that he was murdered,” he alleged.

He further claimed that irregularities in a trust run by VHP leader M.B. Puranik had earlier come to light, and that Baliga’s efforts had led to the demolition of a portion of an alleged illegal structure linked to the trust.

Hariprasad said he was deeply pained when Baliga’s sisters, along with Manjula Nayak, approached him stating that such injustice had occurred and that no one was raising their voice. Emphasising his background, he said he had been fighting communal forces since his student days. “Wherever there is injustice or oppression, I will fight,” he said.

Referring to the broader context, he noted that the Namo Brigade had often claimed credit for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rise to power. In the Baliga murder case, he pointed out that the prime accused, Namo Brigade leader Mangalpady Naresh Shenoy, continues to stand trial. He alleged that several BJP MLAs in the region were obligated to Shenoy, who, he claimed, handled election-time fund distribution and media management. “When people across communities in Mangaluru are demanding justice, BJP MLAs and MPs must answer,” he said.

He also criticised RSS leaders for alleging that temple funds were being diverted to mosques or Muslims. Citing the police charge sheet, he claimed that funds from the Venkataramana Temple were being diverted and that Baliga was murdered for questioning this. “Those who speak about temple hundi collections must also address this issue. Should they not stand by Baliga, who sacrificed his life to ensure that devotees’ offerings remain with the deity?” he asked.

Speaking on the occasion, CPI(M) leader Muneer Katipalla alleged that attempts were made to discredit Baliga and shield the accused, adding that public pressure had kept the case alive.

Prior to the meeting, a procession was held from the Venkataramana Temple to the residence of Vinayak Baliga. Prof. Narendra Nayak flagged off the procession and later addressed the gathering. Dr. P. V. Bhandary, Amrit Shenoy, B. Shekhar, and senior DSS leaders M. Devadas and M. G. Hegde also spoke on the occasion.

Among those present were Baliga’s sisters Anuradha Baliga and Harsha Baliga, former Deputy Mayor Namita D. Rao, labour leaders Chittaranjan Shetty and Sunil Kumar Bajal, Yogish Jappinamogaru, V. Kukian, Karunakar, DYFI leaders Naveen Konchady, Tayyub Bengre, Nithin Kuttar, Manoj Vamanjoor, Charan Shetty Panjimogaru, DSS leaders Raghu Ekkar, Sadashiva Padubidri, S. L. Pinto, Pramila Shaktinagar, Assumpta D’Souza, Sarojini Bantwal, Bharati Bolar, community leaders Vasudev Uchil, Shyam Sundar, Prabhakar Kapikad, Samarth Bhat, former corporator Rauf Bajal, Prakash Salian, Padmanabha Amin, B. Vishwanath, Padmanabha Panicker, Dayanand Shetty, former Karkala municipal members Shubodh Rao and Pradeep Beladi, Neetu Sharan, Rajesh Devadiga, Asha Nayak, Archana Acharya, Kala D. Rao, Velvin, Dinesh Moolur, Vasudev Rao, Dennis D’Silva, Nazeer Bajal, Srinivas Nandagopal, and others.

The programme was led by convener Santosh Bajal, who delivered the introductory remarks and compered the event, while Manjula Nayak proposed the vote of thanks.