Senior journalist and a vocal critic of right wing extremism, Gauri Lankesh was shot dead at her residence last night in Bangalore. As per a report on Hindustan Times, the police has said that at least three suspects were involved in this murder. Gauri was found dead in her apartment at around 8pm with bullet wounds to her head and chest.
Gauri was the daughter of famous poet-turned-journalist P Lankesh and the editor of Gauri Lankesh Patrike. She often wrote against Sangh organisations and the rise of communal violence in the country and was accused of defaming two BJP ministers. Politicians, fellow journalists and artists have taken to Twitter to condone this crime.
#Gauri Lankesh shot dead outside her home.Shocking Devastating. Dabholkar Pansare Kalburgi Culprits must be punished
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) September 5, 2017
Protest against the killing of #Gauri Lankesh, 11 AM – 2 PM, Press Club Of India. https://t.co/fNkcwGRae4
— Neha Dixit (@nehadixit123) September 5, 2017
Condemn killing of senior journalist Gauri Lankesh. Hope speedy investigation is conducted & justice delivered. Condolences to the family.
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) September 6, 2017
The truth will never be silenced. Gauri Lankesh lives on in our hearts. My condolences &love to her family. The culprits have to be punished
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) September 5, 2017
Dhabolkar , Pansare, Kalburgi , and now Gauri Lankesh . If one kind of people are getting killed which kind of people are the killers .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) September 5, 2017
Since 1992, 68 journalists have been killed in India. At least 27 have been murdered in direct retaliation for their work. pic.twitter.com/wWLiwwtIrT
— Anand Katakam (@anandkatakam) September 6, 2017
To those who use guns to silence dissent, you are cowards. And your bullets may kill but will not deter the brave #RipGauriLankesh
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 5, 2017
We must protest the murder of freedom of speech and thought in the same way we celebrate #RightToPrivacy #RIPGauriLankesh
— Nikkhil Advani (@nikkhiladvani) September 6, 2017
Free speech… dissent… democracy is being murdered… one by one..#GauriLankeshMurder
— Kabir Khan (@kabirkhankk) September 6, 2017
Shameful.. what kind of society are we becoming?? Deepest condolences to the family and hope justice is delivered soon. https://t.co/OTh49Gztz8
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) September 6, 2017
If you have to kill someone to silence their opinion, it just goes on to prove how important their opinion was. #RipGauriLankesh
— Priya Sometimes (@PriyaSometimes) September 6, 2017
Gauri’s death comes two years after rationalists M M Kalburgi and CPI leader Govind Pansare were shot dead and four years after anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar‘s murder in Pune.
Rest in peace.