Rape and murder of foreign tourists called a minor incident; MP’s statement sparks outrage, demands for apology

Bengaluru: A statement by Koppal MP K. Rajasekhar Hitnal has sparked a controversy. Last year, an incident of rape of a foreign tourist and the murder of another tourist occurred in Sanapur village of Koppal. The Koppal MP described it as a minor incident during a program, which drew strong condemnation from the public. Several leaders also objected to the MP’s statement. The MP is also being criticized on social media.

On Wednesday, a program was organized at the Koppal District Administration office with the Union Ministry of Tourism to promote tourism in Koppal. Koppal MP K. Rajasekhar Hitnal also participated in this program. During his address, the Koppal MP described the rape of a foreign tourist and the murder of another tourist in Sanapur village last year as a minor incident. He said that such incidents should not happen as they affect tourism prospects, but the MP again referred to the Sanapur incident as a minor one. Last year, an Israeli woman and a local woman were raped in Sanapur village, and a tourist was murdered.