The recent murder of Haryana Congress worker Himani Narwal has once again reignited concerns about the rising trend of political violence in India. 
The Haryana police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder, a Congress worker whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase near Rohtak&rsquo;s Sampla bus stand, on Sunday.
Her family&rsquo;s suspicions of intra-party rivalry, coupled with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slamming the Congress over the incident, highlight a broader reality&mdash;violence, intimidation, and targeted killings are becoming disturbingly common across political lines.
Narwal&rsquo;s murder occurred a day before Haryana&rsquo;s local body elections, raising speculation about potential political motives. A law student and active participant in Congress events, she had rapidly risen within the party, particularly after her association with Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s &lsquo;Bharat Jodo Yatra.&rsquo; Her brutal killing has sent shockwaves through political circles, with leaders calling for justice and accountability.
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his grief.
&ldquo;The news of the barbaric murder of active Congress worker Himani Narwal in Rohtak is extremely sad and shocking. I pay my tribute to the departed soul and express my deepest condolences to the family members. The murder of a girl in this manner and finding her body in a suitcase is a blot on the law and order situation of the state.&rdquo;
Hooda also demanded a high-level, impartial investigation into Narwal&rsquo;s murder and urged authorities to ensure swift justice and the harshest punishment for the perpetrators.
Echoes of Past Political Killings
Narwal&rsquo;s murder is the latest in a series of high-profile political killings that have haunted India in recent years. One of the most infamous cases was the assassination of journalist Gauri Lankesh on September 5, 2017. Lankesh, a vocal critic of right-wing extremism, was gunned down outside her residence in Bengaluru in what many believe was an orchestrated attempt to silence dissent.
Another high-profile murder was that of Punjabi singer-turned-politician Sidhu Moosewala, who was shot dead on May 29, 2022, in Mansa, Punjab. His murder, linked to organized crime and political conflicts, underscored how politicians, activists, and public figures remain vulnerable to violence.
These cases, though different in context, expose an alarming reality&mdash;political violence in India transcends party lines and ideological divides.
Patterns of Violence
Analyzing these cases reveals a concerning pattern:
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Elimination of Rising Figures &ndash; Narwal was an emerging force in Haryana&rsquo;s Congress politics, while Lankesh was a growing voice in journalism. Sidhu Moosewala, too, was a political aspirant with a massive following. Those making rapid strides in their fields often become targets.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Suppressing Dissent and Competition &ndash; Political ambitions and ideological opposition frequently lead to violent suppression, whether through intra-party rivalries or attacks from opposing factions.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Failure of Law and Order &ndash; In multiple cases, the accused had prior warnings or criminal records, yet no preventive measures were taken. This exposes serious gaps in India's law enforcement and intelligence capabilities.</li>
</ul>
Political Killings and Selective Outrage
One troubling aspect of these incidents is how political parties react selectively, often using such tragedies to push their own narratives.
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">In Narwal&rsquo;s case, the BJP has slammed Congress, alleging that the murder is reflective of its internal power struggles and criminal elements.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">In Lankesh&rsquo;s case, the opposition accused right-wing forces of orchestrating her assassination.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Moosewala&rsquo;s killing was similarly politicized, with parties blaming one another for Punjab&rsquo;s deteriorating law-and-order situation.</li>
</ul>
This pattern of selective outrage indicates that parties often view these tragedies as opportunities to attack rivals rather than address systemic issues.
Broader Implications
Politically motivated murders underscore a deep-rooted crisis in Indian democracy, where power struggles frequently turn violent. The chilling effect on aspiring politicians, activists, and journalists is undeniable, discouraging free speech and independent thought.
What Needs to Change?
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Strengthening institutional safeguards to protect rising leaders and dissenting voices.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Ensuring impartial investigations free from political interference.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Holding political parties accountable for curbing violence within their ranks.</li>
</ul>
Unless urgent reforms are undertaken, political ambition and free speech in India will remain dangerous pursuits.
The murders of Himani Narwal, Gauri Lankesh, and Sidhu Moosewala serve as grim reminders that in Indian politics, the price for ambition and expression can sometimes be fatal.
&nbsp;

Himani Narwal with senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

A troubling pattern of violent killings has been prevalent to crush dissent

Analysis | Rising Concerns Over Political Violence in India

A troubling pattern of violent killings has been prevalent to crush dissent

March 2, 2025 | 18:16 IST