Karnataka: Members of the right-wing group Shri Ram Sena have been arrested for allegedly poisoning the drinking water at a government school in Karnataka. The attack reportedly targeted the school because its principal is a Muslim.

According to local authorities, several schoolchildren fell ill after consuming contaminated water on campus. Swift medical intervention ensured that the children received timely treatment and are now recovering.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the act was not accidental but part of a deliberate conspiracy aimed at ousting the Muslim principal from his position. Officials have confirmed that the arrested individuals are affiliated with Shri Ram Sena, a group known for its extremist rhetoric and vigilantism.

The three accused have been identified as Sagar Patil, president of the Savadatti taluk unit of Sri Ram Sene, Krishna Madar, and Magangouda Patil.

The incident has provoked strong condemnation from civil society groups and political leaders alike, who see it as symptomatic of a growing climate of hate.

Leading the political charge, the Congress Party squarely blamed the BJP-RSS ideological ecosystem, accusing it of fostering an atmosphere of hatred that emboldens such acts. “When the country's leader openly spreads hatred among people and talks about identifying people by their clothes, such incidents come to light,” the post read.