Journalist Gauri Lankesh’s incident, who was brutally killed in the IT city of Bengaluru (Banglore), has shown the painful picture of the dangers to express in this changing phase of society. Journalist fraternity is numb. From Rahul Gandhi to Modi government, everyone is sad and woeful on the assassination of Gauri Lankesh.
Everyone is in shock and mourning, Karnataka’s CM also tweeted saying this is the murder of democracy. But the police and administration, on whom the responsibility of finding Lankesh’s murderers are, working at their own pace. That is why, even after the 48 hours of the incident, nobody knows what is the real reason for the murder?
This is the fourth incident in last four years when a writer-journalist engaged in writing has been killed. In Maharashtra in 2013, 68-years-old Narendra Dabholkar and in 2015 81-years-old Govind Pansare have been killed. In 2016, in Karnataka, 77-years-old MM Kumburgi was killed. The same happened with 55-years-old Gauri Lankesh and all these murders have been executed in the almost same way.
Karnataka Police has not yet settled the case of Kumburgi’s murder. But, yes, they came to know the fact that the pistol that has been used in the killing of Kumburgi is the same that is used to murder Pansare. So, the killers of Gauri are same? This can only be revealed, when the inquiry report of government formed SIT will come.
Well, to tell the trust, I have never read any of the stories by Gauri Lankesh neither heard her name before the incident. So speaking on or about her writing would be inappropriate. But as per reports, she writes against South Panthis. Without lying into the footsteps of the leftist and right-wing ideology, it can only be said that a journalist’s brutal murder has been done.
A fair investigation should take place and it is state government’s job to investigate and find the murderers. Yes, the things which can be visible from the last post of Gauri on her social media, in which they are fighting and advising the comrades that instead of fighting with each other, pay attention towards the actual enemy and fight with them.
It is said about Gauri that she has made six dreaded Naxal leaders surrender, and obviously some Naxalite leaders don’t like all these things which Gauri did to other leaders of Naxal. Not only this, even the story of her property dispute is also coming out from her brother. If we see, there is no place where there is no violence against a journalist can take place or happen. You can’t-do any story against the big leader or mafia in the area.
Whether media reported any major issue against Ram Rahim before his arrest? Will anyone do a story against Naresh Aggarwal in Hardoi? Whether anyone can do a story against Mukhtar Ansari in Mau or against Yogi in Gorakhpur or against Shahabuddin in Siwan, against Shiv Sena in Mumbai or against Ulfa in Guwahati or against Yasin Malik in Srinagar or against Shivpal Yadav in Etawa? I guess we all know the answer.
There are many journalists who have been killed or become victims of serious attacks every year. Who is standing with these journalists? Who comes to accompany them? If the society is concerned about its freedom of expression then society will also have to stand with its journalists and writers.
