Udupi, 10 May 

Inflammatory and obscene graffiti, targeting religious communities, were found in the bathroom wall of the women's hostel of a reputed engineering college in this district, police said on Saturday.

The incident came to light on the evening of 7 May, when provocative slogans were discovered written in English on a bathroom wall of the main block of the girls' hostel, located in Nitte, a place in Karkala taluk. 

According to a police statement, the slogans appeared to have been designed to provoke disharmony between two communities. The writing in offensive language, was reported by the hostel manager to local police.

Based on the complaint, Karkala Rural Police have registered a case under Section 353(2) that deals with making, publishing, or circulating statements containing false information, rumours, or alarming news with the intent of creating or promoting feelings of enmity, hatred, or ill will between different groups, of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

"A case has been registered, and we are in the process of identifying those responsible," Superintendent of Police, Udupi district, Arun K said.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and questioning students in connection with the case. While preliminary reports suggest the involvement of a female student, officials have not yet zeroed in on any suspects.

The incident has sparked concern over increasing instances of polarising expressions within educational institutions. The college administration has not yet released an official statement.