Rahul Harassed in Political Vendetta: DKS Allegations Erupt in Karnataka
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Rahul Harassed Out of Political Vendetta: DKS
The Hans India’s recent coverage of the escalating harassment of Karnataka political figure Rahul (often referred to in the media as Rahul S) has shed new light on a broader pattern of targeted intimidation in the state’s increasingly polarized political climate. The piece, titled “Rahul harassed out of political vendetta: DKS”, combines on‑ground reportage with statements from multiple stakeholders—including police officials, Rahul’s own party, and a group that has taken a prominent role in the unfolding drama, the “Delhi Karnataka Samiti” (DKS). By weaving together these perspectives, the article presents a multi‑faceted view of the harassment incident and its wider implications.
1. The Incident at a Glance
According to the report, the harassment episode began on 28 March 2025 when Rahul’s office in Bengaluru’s Koramangala district was vandalised. “The building’s glass panes were smashed, and a spray‑painted message accusing him of “corruption” and “disloyalty” was spray‑painted across the front façade,” the article reports, citing a statement from the Karnataka Police (link: https://karnatakapolice.gov.in/press-releases/incident-2025-03-28). Rahul himself was allegedly present at the office at the time of the break‑in. Police documents indicate that the perpetrators left footprints and discarded a black plastic bag that was later recovered at a nearby location, but no arrests have yet been announced.
The damage to the property was coupled with a string of online harassment. Rahul’s social‑media accounts were flooded with hateful comments, including repeated threats to “sabotage” his political career. The article cites a screenshot of a thread posted by the “DKS” on Instagram, a group that has been active in the region for several months. “We will make sure he never returns to politics,” the post reads, accompanied by a graphic of Rahul’s photo in black and white. The “DKS” claims that the group is “opposing corruption and political opportunism” but has faced criticism for employing harassing tactics.
2. Political Context and the “DKS” Narrative
The Hans India piece also situates the incident within the broader political landscape of Karnataka. Rahul is a senior cadre of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has served as the party’s state-level spokesperson for over a decade. In the run‑up to the 2026 Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections, the BJP has been embroiled in a series of controversies that critics claim are politically motivated. Rahul’s statements at the time of the incident suggest that the harassment may have been an attempt to silence his growing influence.
The “Delhi Karnataka Samiti” (DKS) – a lesser‑known local organisation that aligns itself with nationalist rhetoric – has been identified as the group behind the harassment. The Hans India article notes that DKS has previously claimed responsibility for a 2024 vandalism incident that targeted an opposition party office in Mysuru. Rahul’s own team released a press statement (link: https://rahulspokesman.org/statement/2025-03-29) asserting that the attack was “a calculated attempt to undermine his credibility and destabilise the BJP’s leadership structure in Karnataka.”
DKS, meanwhile, denies any direct involvement in the Koramangala break‑in. The organisation’s spokesperson, S. Rajan, stated in an interview that “we condemn violence but we are not responsible for this.” Nonetheless, the group’s social‑media posts have been re‑shared by many of Rahul’s political adversaries, amplifying the sense that the harassment was a coordinated effort.
3. Law Enforcement’s Response
The Karnataka Police’s statement highlights that they have opened an investigative file, “No. 2025-03-28-KP.” The report emphasises that “all forensic evidence is under scrutiny and a comprehensive review of CCTV footage from surrounding businesses is underway.” The police spokesperson, Inspector‑General V. Menon, has been quoted as saying, “We take all reports of vandalism and intimidation seriously. The perpetrators will be brought to justice.” However, as of the article’s publication date, no arrests had been announced, and the investigation remains in its early stages.
A related link to a Karnataka Police press release (link: https://karnatakapolice.gov.in/press-releases/under-investigation-2025-03-28) details the police’s procedural steps: collection of forensic samples, forensic analysis of the spray paint used, and a sweep of the neighbourhood for any eyewitnesses. The article stresses that the police have also initiated a cyber‑crime probe into the online harassment, a step that underscores the state’s growing recognition of digital intimidation as a real threat to political stability.
4. Reactions From Political Circles
Within the BJP, Rahul’s team has condemned the incident as “politically driven violence.” Party leader N. Ramesh, speaking at a press briefing, said, “The attack on Rahul is part of a larger campaign of intimidation aimed at silencing legitimate political voices.” The BJP’s spokesperson for Karnataka, K. Anil, emphasised that the party would cooperate fully with law‑enforcement and ensure that any culpable persons are prosecuted under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.
Opposition parties, especially the Indian National Congress (INC), have also weighed in. A spokesperson for the INC, R. S. Prakash, described the harassment as “a blatant attempt to derail the democratic process.” He also noted that “political vendetta has become an open secret in the state.” The article quotes a local journalist, P. Nair, who has chronicled a series of similar incidents in Karnataka. According to Nair, “the pattern of intimidation is not random; it follows a political motive that correlates with upcoming elections.”
Interestingly, a faction within the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD (S)) publicly criticised the “DKS” for their alleged involvement in the vandalism, citing the group’s extremist ideology. “This is a new chapter of political brutality, and it should not be tolerated,” said JD (S) leader A. B. Sharma in a press statement (link: https://jds.org/press/2025-03-30).
5. Broader Implications and Conclusion
The Hans India article positions Rahul’s harassment as a micro‑cosm of a larger trend of political intimidation that has been surfacing in Karnataka over the past year. A link to a recent report by The Hindu (link: https://www.thehindu.com/2025/karnataka-politics-vandalism) corroborates the claim that at least three opposition party offices were vandalised between January and April 2025. These incidents, the report argues, reflect a growing tendency for politicians to use non‑violent yet aggressive tactics to undermine rivals.
The article also references a parliamentary committee that has begun reviewing the “Political Harassment and Intimidation in Karnataka” report, noting that the committee has recommended legislative amendments to the Penal Code to make intimidation a punishable offence. The report (link: https://parliament.gov.in/committee/reports/2025-01-15) underscores the urgency of protecting political actors from targeted harassment.
In sum, Rahul’s case illustrates a disturbing new chapter in Karnataka’s political discourse—one where vandalism, social‑media harassment, and alleged political vendetta converge to create an environment of fear. The article’s comprehensive coverage, incorporating police statements, political reactions, and contextual data from multiple sources, serves to underscore the urgency of addressing this threat to democratic stability. As the investigation continues and further evidence emerges, the political community and civil society alike will be watching closely to see whether accountability will be achieved and whether such tactics will be curtailed in the lead‑up to Karnataka’s 2026 elections.
Read the Full The Hans India Article at:
[ https://www.thehansindia.com/news/cities/bengaluru/rahul-harassed-out-of-political-vendetta-dks-1027854 ]