Bengaluru: Life as they knew it changed for the Lankesh family on September 5, 2017. Dealing with the loss of a sister was one thing, but to the grieving family, there was fear in the air. "Honestly, we were scared. We also didn't pin our hopes on the investigation being successful," says Kavitha Lankesh, filmmaker, writer and sister of slain journalist Gauri Lankesh. "I began to worry about what kind of world I was leaving behind for my child, Esha. She stops me from posting anything on social media after 10 pm," Kavitha remarks.
The Lankesh family, known for its outspoken activism and fiery journalism, isn't easily cowed. Kavitha Lankesh is already working on the script for a biopic on Gauri, adding, "It won't be the same without her, of course. Gauri was my biggest support as a sister, a friend, a fighter, a mentor - and was also my biggest critic. Making this movie just won't be the same."
Justice served?
The SIT did a commendable job, nabbing 18 accused a year after Lankesh's murder. As far as Kavitha is concerned, however, justice remains to be served. The executors of the crime are behind bars, but what of those who masterminded it, the faceless men who instigated, prodded and brought about a murder? "The easiest ones to capture are usually those who carry out the crime, who have been provoked by radical ideologues," says Kavitha. "The exeuctors are mostly the poor, uneducated, gullible and vulnerable to toxic ideologies. The ones who mastermind the attacks must be put on the dock. They are the ones poisoning the minds of the youth. When they are caught and the larger picture exposed, I would say justice has been served."
Gauri, says Kavitha, will continue to haunt anti-social elements. "She was a firebrand journalist, feared by criminals. Now, with the SIT investigation setting an example, the police across the country will have to read it as a manual for excellent investigation. Gauri will thus haunt the cops as well and our mother is happy about the developments so far", Kavitha said on lighter note, while also hailing police officials B K Singh and M N Anucheth for their role in the investigations."
