Gauri Lankesh murder: Political blame game begins
Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Union Law Minister condemned Rahul Gandhi for the comments he made against BJP and RSS in the matter of veteran journalist Gauri Lankesh's murder. Senior activist and respected journalist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead at her home in Bengaluru by unknown assailants. Even as she was being laid to rest, political parties were firing salvos at each other.
Gauri Lankesh, editor of Gauri Lankesh Patrike, considered a firebrand journalist, a rationalist and secularist, was shot dead at her home allegedly by three assailants. Lankesh criticized Hindutva groups and regarded this criticism as part of practising "Hindu dharma." Due to her views and firebrand journalism, she was often called anti-Hindu, naxal sympathizer. The Wire reports that she had at least 15 defamation cases proceeding.
Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and condemned the murder of the journalist asserting that strict action is required. He took jibes at the BJP, saying that "anybody who speaks against the RSS/BJP is attacked and even killed." He termed the PM "a skilled Hindutva politician." He said that people claim that the PM doesn't comment, but his main ideology is to silence voices.
Nitin Gadkari expressed disappointment at such statements and stated that neither the BJP nor any of its organizations have anything to do with the killing. He also said that even though everyone knows that the PM is out of India, they claim that he has not commented. He further said that such statements by the Opposition's VP, Rahul Gandhi, "cause harm to democracy."
Prasad asked whether Gauri Lankesh was "helping Naxal's surrender with government's consent and if so why was she not given security." He further condemned all the abusive, prejudiced and "malafide" comments made on social media. The right-winged individuals went after Prasad on this statement. They accused him of "bowing down" to liberalists and not commenting the same when RSS and BJP workers are killed.
Today, Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy has announced Rs. 10 lakh reward for any clues about Lankesh's murder. A special investigation team (SIT) has been set up under Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) B K Singh. They are questioning Lankesh's friends and associates. Though CCTV footage was available, the assailant could not be identified. Presently, the police has made little progress in the investigation.
