'Tamilian planted bomb at Rameshwaram Cafe': BJP minister Shobha Karandlaje's claim invites Stalin's ire

BJP Union minister Shobha Karandlaje kicked up a massive storm on 19th March by claiming that the suspect involved in The Rameswaram Cafe blast was from neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

In a video that is going viral on social media, the minister was heard implying that a Tamilian had planted the bomb at the famous Bengaluru cafe. She was making this statement while protesting in support of the shopowner in Bengaluru who was beaten up by a group of four to five people for allegedly playing Hanuman Chalisa during Azan.

"People from Tamil Nadu come here, get trained there and plant bombs here,” the BJP MP was purportedly heard saying in the video.

The remarks were vehemently condemned by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin who asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Election Commission to take action against Karandlaje, who is BJP's candidate from Bengaluru North.

"Strongly condemn Union BJP Minister @ShobhaBJP's reckless statement. One must either be an NIA official or closely linked to the #RameshwaramCafeBlast to make such claims. Clearly, she lacks the authority for such assertions. Tamilians and Kannadigas alike will reject this divisive rhetoric of BJP," Stalin said on X.

"From the Prime Minister to cadre, everyone in the BJP should stop engaging in this dirty divisive politics at once. ECI must take note of this hate speech and initiate stringent action immediately.

Notable, the NIA has not revealed the identity of the suspect involved in the March 1 blast. On the trail of the suspect, the sleuths investigating the case had visited Tumakuru, Ballari, and Kalaburagi.

NIA has announced Rs 10 lakh cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the bomber, and also released CCTV pictures and videos of the suspect.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said sleuths investigating into the March one blast at the city's popular eatery 'The Rameshwaram Cafe' have "in a way" identified the suspect, and efforts are on to nab him.

He said the investigators are verifying the suspect's identity and are "getting closer to him." Investigation into the blast, caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), at the quick-service eatery in Brookefield area in information technology corridor in east Bengaluru that left ten people injured, is being carried by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is being assisted by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru police.

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