Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 24: Karnataka has continued to be ranked second in the country behind Uttar Pradesh (UP) for the second year in a row as far as communal clashes are concerned. The fact that Karnataka, which is much smaller state in comparison to UP and several other states has got this dubious distinction should be a cause of worry for the concerned.

A list released by the central government about communal clashes which occurred between January and May this year shows that UP accounted for 61 clashes, with Maharashtra and Karnataka accounting for 40 clashes each. Madhya Pradesh with 35, Bihar with 23 and Gujarat with 16 occupy the spots behind these states. A total of 278 communal clashes were reported from the country during the above period.

File photo

During 2015, Karnataka, with 105 communal clashes, had stood second behind UP with 155 clashes. Out of total 751 clashes all over the country, Maharashtra had also witnessed 105 communal clashes last year. If the criterion of number of deaths in these clashes is considered, Karnataka stands third during the period between January and May this year, with four deaths and 116 injuries.

During 2015, eight persons had died in communal clashes in Karnataka. In this category, 13 deaths have occurred in UP, four in Maharashtra and three in Gujarat during this year.