We want peace, not money': Woman hurls cash at Karnataka ex-CM Siddaramaiah

BAGALKOT/MYSURU: In a big embarrassment to the opposition Congress, a family member of one of those injured in a communal clash not only refused to take the Rs 50,000 compensation given by opposition leader Siddaramaiah but also threw the money at his vehicle as he left after meeting her in Bagalkot district.
The woman identified as Ramza told the former CM that all that they want in the village is communal harmony. "We don't want money. Leave us alone to live happily ever after," she yelled as Siddaramaiah's vehicle started moving.
The BJP lapped up this opportunity and described the incident as the people's answer to appeasement politics of the Congress.
The incident took place during a tour of Siddaramaiah in Badami, in the district which he represents in the assembly as the Congress MLA. He had gone to meet the injured at a private hospital where they were admitted following a recent communal clash in Kerur town.
Siddaramaiah met Hanief, Rajesaab, Rafeeq, Daval Malik and gave Rs 50,000 as compensation to each of them. However, none of them accepted it and, instead, urged him to help ensure peace between communities and improve the law and order situation in the town.
When he was boarding his car after meeting them, Razma stopped Siddaramaiah and said that she wanted peace, not money. Siddaramaiah, sitting in his vehicle, tried to console her by holding her hand. But Razma remained unmoved. As his car started, she threw the money at his vehicle.
Razma said that no leader had visited the injured or their relatives for over a week. "They come for votes during elections, but not when we are in trouble. We have not seen our children for 8–10 days. Both Hindus and Muslims are suffering here. Politicians give compensation and go. How can we survive when our breadwinner is in bed for a year? Without their compensation, we can survive even by begging. They should first ensure that such clashes don’t happen by punishing the offenders’’.
Meanwhile, the injured people from the Hindu community, who have also been admitted to a hospital, refused to meet Siddaramaiah. The opposition leader, who was all set to meet them, cancelled his visit at the last minute.
Reacting to the incident, Siddaramaiah said that he suspected the woman was instigated by someone to do so. “We gave the compensation as a token of humanity. Even the government gives relief to the kin of the deceased. It doesn’t mean they will come back. However, we have sent the amount to the woman,” he added.
In Mysuru, KPCC chief D K Shivakumar said the woman who refused to take the compensation, should question BJP leaders and the state government about the law and order situation. CM Basavaraj Bommai should addressthe Muslim woman’s concerns, he added.
On July 6, Kerur town witnessed a communal clash following the stabbing of a member of the Hindu Jagaran Vedike. Arun Kattimani was stabbed for objecting to eve-teasing. His two friends too were attacked. This led to a clash between the group