How media tried to drag UTK’s name into Deepak Rao murder case using an unrelated photo

Everybody knows that social media platforms are notorious for baseless rumours and fake news. But, in a bizarre development, the mainstream media in Karnataka has apparently tried to drag a minister’s name to a murder case by using an old and unrelated photo.

Deepak Rao, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru taluk was hacked to death by a gang of notorious criminals on January 3 in his hometown. Police have arrested six persons in connection with the murder including Pinki Navaz, who is said to be an activist of the Minority Morcha of Bharatiya Janata Party. 

The BJP is holding PFI, SDPI and ruling Congress government of Karnataka responsible for the murder whereas Congress leader suspecting BJP’s hand behind the murder. The Congress leaders are claiming that murder of a Hindu youth by miscreants belonging to Muslim community will politically help BJP in the elections.

Meanwhile, the social media wing of the saffron party started spreading an old photo in which Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader can be seen having food. The photo was taken a few months ago when Mr Khader had attended a wedding in his constituency on the request of localites when he was passing through that way. In the same photo Ilyas, a member of infamous Target Gang, also seen having food along with Mr Khader. Ilyas is said to be an associate of Pinki Navaz. While circulating the photo, the BJP activists claimed that Mr Khader has links with Pinki Navaz. Interestingly, a few television channels and newspapers too published the same photo. 

Reacting to the allegations made against him, Mr Khader said that in the past too, the miscreants had tried to malign him using the same photo. “My opponents also know that I do not support any criminals. But, some miscreants often try to malign me for political gains,” he said.