Left party leaders, scribes decry Gauri murder

Visakhapatnam: After the cold-blooded murder of senior woman journalist and social activist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru on Wednesday , intellectuals in the city condemned the ruthless act by unidentified miscreants.

In a protest against the murder, Left parties, progressive and democratic groups as well as journalists took out a rally and organised a candlelight vigil on Wednesday in the city.

“It is known fact that some groups and political parties in the country are creating a divide in the society on religious lines as well as instigating violence. But eminent journalist Gauri Lankesh, who wrote against this culture besides propagating equality and peace, was killed, which is saddening. Freedom of speech is at stake.

This is a signal for weakening of democracy. The Central and State governments should launch a genuine probe into the murder of Gauri Lankesh,” said former Civil Servant EAS Sarma.

“We believe that there is a role of fundamentalists in this murder. These fundamentalist groups have involvement in the killings of rationalists Govind Panasare, Narendra Dabholkar and MM Kalburgi, who questioned the superstitions. Attacks on rationalists must be stopped,” said JV Satyanarayana, CPI state assistant secretary.

“With the assassination of Gauri Lankesh, it was proved once again that journalists, who stand for truth, have no security for their life,” Ch Narasing Rao, CPI state committee member.

“Governments are failing to arrest the attacks on women. Killing of Gauri Lankesh is a case in point. The governments must take action on fundamentalist and fringe groups,” said Kathi Padma, woman activist. CPI district secretary K Lokanadam demanded a CBI inquiry into this incident.