When dissent is silenced

With rising violence against journalists and activists, it has become dangerous to criticise the shortcomings of the government. Gauri Lankesh’s murder has come as another blow to our right to speech and expression. Students speak up.

Sumpda Bajaj, B.A. Political Science (Honours), Class of 2017, Maitreyi College, New Delhi

It is sad that activist Gauri Lankesh lost her life for her open criticism about the condition of Naxalites, dalits, farmers and the creeping influence of Hindutva in the country.

The murderers can gun down one Gauri Lankesh but not the hundreds and thousands of Gauris that will take up the fight against them now.

Pallavi Bais, B.A. Sociology (Honours), III, Janki Devi Memorial College, New Delhi

Just like the Nirbhaya rape case, Gauri Lankesh’s murder caught the attention of national and even international media. Eventually, the forgotten names like M.M. Kalburgi and Narendra Dabholkar were brought up. Had the media and government spokespersons sensationalised this issue back when those two incidents happened, and tried to implement changes, the spate of killings of journalists and rationalists could have been avoided.

Varoon Tuteja, B.A. English (Honours), I, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, New Delhi

Gauri Lankesh’s shocking death has brought to light the socio-political status quo of our country, where dissent has become synonymous with blasphemy. Is the pen really mightier than the sword? Such instances not only call for a genuine search for those who are guilty but also for an unabridged right to express dissent and criticise government action. Such a right is important for the sustenance of democracy.

Rishabh Sharma, PGDM, II, Delhi School of Business, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies - Technical Campus, New Delhi

This isn’t just about a murder, but also about the freedom to speak one’s opinion. Our educational institutions encourage us to speak out, participate in debates when we feel something is wrong, yet such incidents happen.

Lankesh’s death has brought into question our ability to tolerate opinions of others. It is a great shame that countries like ours still fail to understand the real meaning of democracy.