The dark forces that carried out the fatal attack on a senior journalist, Gauri Lankesh, who struggled hard to pursue the truth and make her findings known to the public, should realise that strong and sane voices can never be silenced. There is need for a law enforcement body that ensures the security of journalists.
Naman Sehgal,
Amritsar
In this materialistic, fast-paced world of ours, where everyone is hankering after 3Ps — power, prosperity and paisa, and most often without ethics — it is the 4th P, the press, which tries to restore a semblance of balance by highlighting the wrongs and influencing public opinion in the right way. Journalists, the flag bearers of justice, who serve society by exposing injustices, often have to bear the brunt of humiliation, torture, imprisonment and even death. Though there is change now in the media world in the form of corporatisation, spirited journalists provide fair judgment on issues, thus maintaining their sanctity and social responsibility and educating and enlightening silent listeners while trying to make them vigilant in creating a more civilised society. How can one forget Gandhiji’s quote, “Freedom of the press is a precious privilege that no country can forgo”?
T.S. Karthik,
Chennai
Dislodging dissent by annihilation is undemocratic. A free-thinking society such as ours has still to recover from the shock of the murderous attacks on Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and M.M. Kalburgi. The cold-blooded murder of Gauri Lankesh is yet another instance of intolerance. It was doubly tragic that it happened on the birth anniversary of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
It may be a fact that Lankesh was harsh in her criticism and at times even made intemperate comments. But such flaws must be met with healthy debate and discussion and not countered with swords and bullets.
K.C. Kalkura,
Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
It is quite distressing and heartbreaking that one more intellectual has fallen prey to fascist forces in the country. Muting the voices of dissent with violence is a cowardly act. Lankesh’s death seems to be a sequel to the killings of other activists. What is even more distressing is that the perpetrators of such crimes still remain at large, making a mockery of our systems. It is the same even in the case of mob lynchings.
Abdullah Ahammed K.P.,
Areekod, Malappuram, Kerala
It has been seen many a time that articulate and bold journalists have faced the wrath of the extreme forces. India is a country where freedom of the press is accorded great value and importance as it forms the bedrock of a democratic country. The freedom of citizens to express their concerns is what helps a country advance. A journalist is more vulnerable in such a situation because his voice is all embracing. Though the reason behind the attack is still unknown, one does not have to guess it given the activist role of the journalist concerned.
Aparajita Singh,
Lucknow
It is shocking that an “activist-journalist” fighting “Hindutva politics” in Karnataka was killed in a cowardly manner. It is sad that one more valiant fighter has fallen prey to the same despicable elements who are succeeding in creating a reign of terror. One hopes that the Karnataka government loses no time in solving the case.
K. Natarajan,
Madurai
Lankesh’s killing must be strongly condemned. Gunning down a writer, thinker or activist for his or her views is the height of intolerance in a democratic society. Whenever such incidents happen, political parties are quick to blame one another and the issue becomes convoluted. Little do they realise that they are responsible in a big way for stifling dissent in the name of free speech. Our Parliament and legislatures stand testimony to the fact that unruly behaviour rather than healthy debate is the order of the day. Parties with a divisive agenda and those that appease certain sections for votes are bad examples to society at large. Many of the parties even condone violence for winning elections. What is worse, governments of the day have got used to stifling criticism by hook or by crook. In such a milieu, the hue and cry raised by parties over Lankesh’s killing is at variance with their precepts and practice. According to the Economist’s Democracy Index, India is a flawed democracy and its political culture is worse than that of sub-Saharan Africa. The many flaws we have can be removed only if there is unfettered free speech and intense soul-searching.
V. Nagarajan,
Chennai
One more voice of dissent has been successfully silenced. Dhabolkar, Pansare, Kalburgi and now Gauri Lankesh. The bullet that killed the Father of the Nation has once again struck to silence a critic of fanatics. Where is the tolerant India? It is lost perhaps in the fanatical sounds orchestrated by the frenzy of religious chants and murderous shrill voices of those groups who pander to politicians, who use them to polarise and thus ensure their chair remains intact, whatever be the cost to the prestige of the nation and human values enshrined in the Constitution, for which our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives.
Can we learn from these incidents? Maybe never. Because the country is not ruled by rulers who were sensitised by the freedom struggle or who faced the consequences of a civil revolution but by those propped up by funds from corporate houses to ensure the growth of crony capitalists. We can only organise a few candle light protests and share the pain of losing valiant torch bearers of free speech. But when will the real revolution begin to herald the true freedom for which our forefathers fought and died?
Varghese George,
Secunderabad
What struck me when news of the outrageous killing broke was how dissent and strong opposing ideas scare some elements to the extent that they will stoop low to silence the dissenting voice. Are the views and beliefs of these people, the perpetrators of these murders, so frail and fragile? The moot question here is, do we want the country to imperceptibly and gradually slide into the abysmal pit where Pakistan and Bangladesh find themselves today?
Anilkumar Kurup,
Thiruvananthapuram
Gunning down a journalist is an attack on the freedom of expression and one more instance of declining standards of individual freedom. If the life of a celebrity and activist is at stake in a cosmopolitan city such as Bengaluru, how can we talk about the great freedom that India won?
J. Eden Alexander,
Thanjavur
By silencing independent voices are we moving towards becoming a fascist state? The case is a blot on our democratic credentials.
Shravan G.,
Bengaluru
It is shocking that such an incident has occurred in a city once known for its great cosmopolitan culture. One has seen the gradual decline in standards with cases of molestation and stalking on the rise. The murder of a brave journalist, who fought relentlessly for harmony, shows clearly that the law and order situation, and especially the safety and security is worrisome. Her death should not be allowed to be used as an election tool. Rather than portraying her just as a victim of the left vs. right war or growing intolerance in our country, the perpetrators behind this heinous act should be brought to justice regardless of whatever influence they may have in society.
Adarsh J.,
Bengaluru
