Those Who Speak the Truth Are being Harassed – Dr Hayavadan on Gauri Lankesh’s Murder
Mangaluru: The Mangalore Catholic Sabha staged a protest against the brutal murder of Journalist Gauri Lankesh and demanded the arrest of the accused, in front of the DC office here on September 14.
The Spiritual Director of the Diocese Fr Mathew Vaz welcomed the gathering and said that human life is very valuable. The thinking of people may differ from person to person but no one has the right to kill anyone. The murder of Gauri was the murder of democracy. Today we have held a protest to demand justice to the family of Gauri Lankesh and to arrest the accused as soon as possible.
Addressing the protesters Associate Professor of English at the Bhandarkar’s College, Kundapur Dr Hayavadan said, “I know Gauri Lankesh from her young age because I was very close to her father Lankesh and she was like my sister. When Lankesh was running a newspaper Gauri was working as a Journalist in an English Daily. When Lankesh died Gauri took charge of the Lankesh Patrike. Gauri was married and for some reason, she divorced her husband but continued to be in good terms. Gauri’s husband married again and the couple has a daughter who now says that she will become like Gauri. But some people talk bad about Gauri’s married life.”
Dr Hayavadan further said, “Gauri was taking part in the Komu Sauharda Vedike protests and programmes. She was the voice of the voiceless. Even during the church attack, she wrote an editorial “Na Kanda Hage”. She was a good writer but not a good speaker because she was an activist. There is a similarity in Gandhi and Gauri’s assassination. When Gandhi was murdered some people celebrated his death and distributed sweets. Similarly when Gauri was murdered some people distributed sweets and celebrated her death. Gauri sacrificed her life for a cause of equality, social justice, and liberty.”
Dr Hayavadan also said, “Those who speak the truth are being harassed. Gauri was bringing changes in the minds of the people. Even when Jesus was crucified for no reason he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. The whole world has become one today. If we fight in the name of religion the country will be divided. Our ways will be different but our aim is to reach the same destination. Gauri was the voice of the voiceless and by doing so she was following the greatest religion called humanity. We are hurt by the murder of Gauri and we urge the government to arrest the accused as soon as possible and punish them severely.”
Addressing the protesters Novelist Muhammed Kunhi said, “Gauri Lankesh worked for harmony. She was trying to build bridges between the people. Those who cannot digest the truth killed Gauri Lankesh. Killing is not the solution for any problems. By killing one Gauri a 1000 Gauri’s are born. In Bengaluru during the protests, people gathered in large numbers and said, “I am Gauri, I am Gauri”. Today those who speak the truth, their voices have been silenced. Dabolkar, Pansare, Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh have been murdered. By killing the progressive thinkers and rationalists the killers want to create fear among the people. Instead of asking who killed Gauri, we need to find out the masterminds behind all these killings. The mastermind behind Gauri’s murder should be punished severely so that in future no one should dare to kill anyone.”
PRO of Mangalore Diocese Fr William Menezes said, “The pen is mightier than the sword. Through her writings, Gauri Lankesh was fighting for justice. She has taught us to fight for justice. Those who killed Gauri should be severely punished. Today Gauri is not with us but we remember her for her work.”
Rector of St Aloysius Institutions Fr Dionysius Vaz, Deepak D’Souza, Former President of Konkani Sahitya Academy Roy Castelino, President of Mangalore Catholic Sabha Anil Permai and others were also present.
Later the protesters submitted a memorandum to the state government through ADC Kumar.
Why you are interested?, Because she was against Hindus?