The accused, including one affiliated with a Hindutva group called Sri Ram Sene, gave chocolate and ₹500 to a child to poison the water tank; Karnataka Police confirm communal conspiracy
SAVADATI, KARNATAKA – In a shocking case that has exposed deep-rooted communal hatred, Karnataka Police have arrested three men, including a local leader affiliated with a Hindutva group called Sri Ram Sene, for poisoning the drinking water tank of a government primary school in Holekti village, Savadati Taluk.
The accused targeted the school’s Muslim headmaster in a deliberate attempt to defame him and get him removed from his post.
The incident took place on 14 July when 11 children from the school fell ill after drinking water contaminated with pesticide. The affected students complained of nausea and were rushed to hospital. Fortunately, most of them avoided drinking the water after noticing a bad smell, helping prevent a major tragedy.
Headmaster Suleman Gore Naik, who has served at the school for 13 years, was the intended target of the attack. He approached police after the incident. “It was a deliberate act. I have always worked honestly and treated every child equally. This was clearly done because of my religion,” Naik was quoted as saying on Saturday.
Police began a detailed investigation, led by Superintendent of Police Bhim Shankar S. Goled. Forensic testing found pesticide traces in the tank and in a discarded soft drink bottle nearby. Scientific methods and student interviews helped investigators trace the chain of events that led to the poisoning.
A key breakthrough came when a minor boy confessed to putting the poisoned liquid in the tank. He said he had been given a chocolate and ₹500 by a village resident named Krishna Madar. Upon questioning, Madar admitted he had been following orders from Sagar Patil, a local dhaba owner reportedly linked to the Hindutva group.
Police say Patil and his relative, Nagangoda Patil, had purchased pesticides from a shop in Manawali on 8 July. On 14 July, Patil gave a soft drink bottle laced with pesticide to Madar, who then used the minor boy to contaminate the tank. The child, now a key witness, had no idea what he was being made to do.
According to SP Goled, “We have solved the case through scientific evidence and careful discussions with the students. It was a systematic and disturbing attempt carried out with communal motives.”
Police sources also revealed that Patil had pressured Krishna Madar by threatening to expose his relationship with a girl from another caste if he did not cooperate.
“All three – Sagar Patil, Krishna Madar, and Nagangoda Patil – have been arrested. The child is a prosecution witness,” said SP Goled. “We are also investigating if any others were involved or if the plan was part of a wider ideological conspiracy.”
Human rights activists and members of the Muslim community have expressed deep concern over the targeting of a teacher based on his faith.
“This is not just an attack on a person, it is an attack on our education system and our children,” said social activist Rizwan Khan. “Such hatred has no place in a civilised society.”
Locals say Suleman Naik is well-respected and has played an important role in improving the school’s standards. Many parents, both Hindu and Muslim, have come out in his support.
“We want our children to learn in peace. He is a good teacher and has never discriminated,” said Kavita Hugar, a parent of one of the students.
Meanwhile, the state education department has promised to step up security measures in schools and ensure no teacher is targeted for religious reasons. “We will stand by our teachers and students. Education must never be dragged into hate politics,” a senior official said.
This incident has once again raised serious questions about rising communal tensions and the safety of minorities in India, especially in rural areas.
