BJP attacks Karnataka govt over death of VHP leader

NEW DELHI: BJP today lashed out at Karnataka government over the death of a VHP leader in a violence during Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary celebrations, terming its response to the Hindutva outfit's protests as a "height of intolerance and insensitivity".

"There is a freedom to protest. The use of force by the Karnataka police against the protesters is the height of intolerance," BJP secretary Shrikant Sharma said.

He also condemned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's statement, in which he had blamed the VHP's bandh call for the violence.

"What he said is extremely insensitive."

A local VHP leader died and several others were injured when violence erupted over celebrations of the birth anniversary of 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan.

60-year-old Kuttappa died after falling off a boundary wall as he tried to escape stone-throwing crowds during a district-wide shutdown called against the celebrations, senior police officials said.