The murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh has now put the Karnataka Home Department under alert as they believe that the lives of other progressive thinkers are under threat.
According to a report by Times of India, playwright and Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad, writer KS Bhagwan, Veerabhadra Chennamalla Swami of Nidumamidi Mutt and Kum Veerabhadrappa – all of whom are left progressive thinkers, are expected to get police protection, in the wake of Gauri’s killing.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed the state police to prepare a list of writers and activists who have received death threats of any kind. The CM has asked the state police to provide them protection.
Although Girish Karnad and KS Bhagwan were given police protection after the murder of rationalist Professor MM Kalburgi, the security detail was disbanded two months later.
“This time we will not remove the security detail so soon as we cannot afford to allow another killing. We have decided to give protection to all progressive thinkers who are facing life threat even if they haven't asked for it,” Home Minister R Ramalinga Reddy told media.
Police have prepared a list of 35 people who will need protection but this will be shortlisted to a dozen, including a few right-wing intellectuals, the TOI report adds.
Others who are likely to get protection include Narendra Nayak, President of the Federation of Indian Rationalists' Associations, writers Yogesh Master, Chethana Theerthahalli, Baragur Ramachandrappa and K Marulasiddappa, Prof Siddalingaiah and author Banjagere Jayaprakash.
Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru’s Raja Rajeshwari Nagar on the night of September 5.
While a Special Investigative Team has been formed to probe the murder, massive protests were carried out across the country. Protestors alleged that Gauri Lankesh was killed for her anti-Hindutva writings.
While the Karnataka Home Minister has also pinned the blame on right-wing, the Centre has reprimanded the state government for failure of maintaining law and order.