The cold-blooded murder of veteran journalist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru on Tuesday has shocked and angered the country. An outspoken critic of right-wing politics, the senior editor was killed right as she was entering her residence on Tuesday night, by three assailants who fired several bullets at her at point blank range.
The killing has been condemned by people from across the board, including by Karnataka leaders of the BJP and the RSS, who also hit out at the Siddaramaiah-led government.
Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation and senior Karnataka leader Sadananda Gowda called for an impartial probe in the case.
I strongly condemn the murder of Journalist Gauri Lankesh. Let Police conduct impartial enquiry on the murder.
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSBJP) September 5, 2017
His Cabinet colleague, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, meanwhile condemned attacks on journalists.
Terrible news from Bengaluru about the heinous murder of Gauri Lankesh. I condemn all acts of violence against journalists.
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) September 5, 2017
The party’s state President Yeddyurappa, though, condemned the law and order situation in Karnataka, taking the opportunity to attack the Congress government in the state.
Shocked to hear the murder of #GowriLankesh strongly condemn this inhuman barbaric murder. Law &Order in the state has compleately collapsed
— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) September 5, 2017
On Tuesday night, the RSS Karnataka unit released a statement condemning Gauri’s killing. “RSS strongly condemns the killing of senior editor, writer and columnist Gauri Lankesh. We pray that God grants her family the strength to withstand the loss. We demand that the government rapidly tracks down the perpetrators and ensures justice,” the statement read.