The Karnataka Congress party on January 3, 2026, handed over ₹25 lakh in financial assistance to the family of Rajashekhar, a party worker killed in recent violence in Ballari linked to a dispute over banners ahead of a Maharshi Valmiki statue unveiling. District in-charge Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, accompanied by Ballari MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and Kampli MLA J.N. Ganesh, visited the family’s residence in Hussain Nagar to present the compensation. The minister expressed deep sorrow over Rajashekhar’s death, describing him as the family’s main breadwinner and eldest son, and assured additional support, including arrangements for constructing a house under the Slum Board scheme and advice to use part of the funds to start a small business for livelihood.

The clash occurred on January 1, 2026, in the Avvambhavi area near the residence of BJP MLA G. Janardhan Reddy (associated with Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha), when supporters of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy attempted to install banners for the Valmiki statue event scheduled for January 3. The confrontation escalated into stone-pelting, lathi charge, and firing, resulting in Rajashekhar’s death from a bullet wound. Police investigations revealed the fatal bullet was not from a police weapon, and forensic analysis linked it to a private firearm. The incident has led to heightened tensions, with FIRs filed against Janardhan Reddy, his brother Somashekhar Reddy, former minister B. Sriramulu, and others, while counter-allegations blame Congress supporters. Ballari Superintendent of Police Pavan Nejjur was suspended shortly after taking charge, citing lapses in handling the situation.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, speaking in Bengaluru, defended the Valmiki statue initiative as a first-of-its-kind effort by the Congress government in Ballari and accused Janardhan Reddy of disrupting the previously peaceful atmosphere. He stated that culprits would be brought to justice and announced a party committee under H.M. Revanna to study the incident. The violence has prompted heavy security deployment, including 1,500 personnel from surrounding districts, and meetings with community leaders to prevent further escalation. The compensation gesture underscores the Congress party's solidarity with its workers amid the politically charged fallout.

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The episode highlights longstanding rivalries in Ballari’s mining-dominated political landscape and raises concerns over law and order during community events. As inquiries continue, including forensic examinations and internal police reviews, both parties have traded blame, with the BJP demanding a High Court judge-led probe and alleging a politically motivated attack.

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