Terming the killing of senior journalist Gauri Lankesh a "severe shock" to those dedicated to a secular and just India, a leading civil rights body today demanded immediate arrest of those behind the act.
City-based NGO ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy), asserted that it will not let this "shock dampen our intent to fight the forces that she took on".
"It is well-known that Gauri Lankesh had consistently opposed right-wing forces, despite the threats and court cases she had to face. As the editor of 'Lankesh Patrike', a Kannada weekly, she had continued to raise her voice against communalism and casteism," ANHAD said.
ANHAD was established in 2003 as a socio-cultural body and has been raising issues of violation of civil and human rights.
"ANHAD is deeply anguished at the assassination of Gauri Lankesh, noted journalist and intrepid activist. We condemn in the strongest terms possible this act of cowardice by her killers who wish to spread fear and suppress dissent," it said in a statement.
"As a leading voice against majoritarian and undemocratic politics and one that fearlessly stood for the freedom of expression in India, her passing away is a severe shock for those dedicated to a secular and just India," it said.
An outspoken critic of Hindutva politics, Lankesh, 55, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at the entrance of her residence in Raj Rajeshwari Nagar in Bengaluru last evening.
She had returned home in her car and was opening the gate when motorcycle-borne assailants fired at her indiscriminately with two bullets hitting her in the chest and one on her forehead, police officials said.
She edited a Kannada tabloid 'Gauri Lankesh Patrike' besides owning some other publications.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
