Declare Gauri Lankesh Murder as an act of terror – Prof Phaniraj

Declare Gauri Lankesh Murder as an act of terror – Prof Phaniraj

Udupi: The Karnataka Komu Suhardha Vedike and other like-minded associations on Wednesday, September 6 demanded the state government to declare the murder of noted Journalist and progressive Activist Gouri Lankesh as an act of terrorism.

Prof. Phaniraj social activist and member of Karnataka Komu Suhardha Vedike Udupi district said that we are deeply saddened by the cold-blooded murder of Gauri Lankesh. She was a fierce journalist and the most vocal critic of communal forces in the state. She was committed till her last breath in her struggle to bring the Naxal activists to the mainstream and she worked for the upliftment of the downtrodden. She worked vociferously to bring together people with similar ideology on a common platform in the fight against class, caste, and religious fundamentalist forces.

This is the second murder in the state, the cold blooded murder bears similarity with the killings of Narendra Dhabolkar, Govind Pansare and Dr MM Kalburgi. There seems to be a pattern and a network operating behind these murders where earlier murders have remained unsolved. He also demanded the arrest of the murderers as early as possible.

G Rajeshekar president of Karnataka Komu Suhardha Vedike Udupi district said that the same people who celebrated Gandhi’s death are celebrating Gauri Lankesh’s death. If this continues, civilization will suffer and fascist anarchy will spread, he added.

Prof. Hayavadana Moodusagri said that a sense of insecurity was getting ingrained in the minds of progressive writers. The progressive thinkers are not being allowed to freely express their thoughts, which is a right granted by the Constitution. The government should soon arrest the accused related to the murder of Gauri Lankesh.

Dr P V Bhandary, Akbar Ali, Jayan Malpe, Fr William Martis, Vishwanath Rai, Harsha Kumar Kugwe and others also spoke on the occasion.