<b>Shekhar Gupta: </b>Death for disagreement

Gauri Lankesh's courage and sacrifice should shock our violent, abusive discourse back to civility

There are several things about Gauri Lankesh and her murder — or more aptly, assassination — that we know for sure. First, she was a powerful opinion leader and an intrepid rationalist in the sharp Left-liberal space. Second, she had the courage to speak her mind, and was not deterred by threats routinely thrown at her. Third, as it invariably happens with those clearly positioned in a sharply polarised debate, those that agreed with her did so passionately. Those who disagreed complimented this fully from the other side of the fence or ideological akhara. As is the norm for a