With close to one month elapsing since the killing of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, the Gauri Lankesh Hatya Virodhi Vedike on Monday demanded that the Special Investigation Team conclude its probe soon.
K. Neela, convener of the forum, said: “Their pace must not slow down. We want not just the killers but also the mastermind to be identified. They must be arrested too.”
The government must declare the murders of Gauri Lankesh, Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and M.M. Kalburgi as terrorist attacks as they were carried out with the intent of generating fear and curtailing free speech, she said. “On October 5, we will participate in a massive protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi where people from all over the country will gather to demand the right to freedom of expression,” she said.
The forum has also demanded strict action against trolls on social media, including those who celebrated the killing of rationalists in the country. “Till date, thousands of trolls who celebrated the death of Gauri are still being followed on social media by prominent Ministers and even the Prime Minister. Why haven’t they been blocked or unfollowed yet,” questioned Sripad Bhat, a forum member.
