Karnataka Congress MP terms Sanapur rape-murder 'minor incident', sparks row

K Rajashekhar Hitnal, Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP from Koppal. (File Image)

• Congress MP Hitnal called a gang-rape and murder near Sanapur a "minor incident"
• Remarks sparked outrage and criticism from women's groups and opposition leaders
• Tourism in Sanapur-Hampi declined sharply after the March 2025 attack

Did our AI summary help?

Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka's Koppal, K Rajashekhar Hitnal, has come under heavy fire for dismissing a brutal gang-rape and murder of tourists near Sanapur village in the state as a "minor incident".

Hitnal made the controversial remark while speaking at a tourism event in Koppal district this week, referring to the rape of a 27-year-old Israeli tourist and a 29-year-old homestay operator and the murder of a male tourist from Odisha in an attack near Sanapur Lake in March 2025.

"We had a small incident… a rape and murder happened, it's a small incident," the MP reportedly said, though adding that it was "painful" and "shouldn't have happened".

The remarks triggered widespread outrage with women's rights groups and opposition parties condemning the MP for appearing to downplay the gravity of a crime that saw a significant tourism fallout in the Sanapur-Hampi region. Following the attack, more than 400 tourists cancelled bookings and local tourism experienced sharp declines as security concerns mounted.

Critics argue that the MP's choice of words was deeply insensitive, particularly in the context of ongoing calls for better police presence and tourist safety measures in historically significant and high-traffic areas such as Sanapur and Hampi. Local leaders and activists have repeatedly urged the state government to restore a dedicated police sub-division in the Hampi World Heritage Area to strengthen security after the 2025 crimes.

Opposition leaders in Karnataka said Hitnal's remarks reflect a broader lack of political sensitivity toward issues of violence against women and the tourism economy.

JD(S) state core committee member CV Chandrashekhar termed the remarks irresponsible, saying the MP, instead of focusing on infrastructure development to boost tourism, had downplayed a serious law and order failure.

BJP state core committee member Dr Basavaraj Kyavater called the comments shocking and inexcusable, and unbecoming of a person holding a constitutional post.

The Sanapur tourism belt, which draws both domestic and international visitors for its scenic lake and proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi, has remained in the spotlight since the grievous attack. Karnataka police arrested suspects in connection with the gang rape and murder shortly after the crime in March 2025, and state authorities have since increased patrols and regulatory oversight of homestays and unregistered accommodations in the area.