A young Bajrang Dal activist named Harsha was on Sunday found dead in Shivamogga, Karnataka. The police are investigating the case to trace the murderers.

Amid reports that tensions have surfaced in the town, Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai a while ago appealed for calm. He said that he is deeply saddened by the murder of the Hindu activist Harsha in Shivamogga. "Investigation is on and those responsible for this will be arrested at the earliest. Police officials have been instructed to maintain law and order and I request people to also stay calm," he wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said that no organisation has been identified in association with the murder of Harsha. He also didn't link the murder to the Hijab row that has engulfed the state.

Recently, after the Hijab row surfaced in Hassan, the Karnataka government shut down all high schools and colleges for a few days to prevent any escalation.