Over eight months have passed since the murder of activist and journalist Gauri Lankesh outside her house on September 5, 2017. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) recently claimed it has achieved a major breakthrough by arresting two people and detaining three others for their role in the crime. However, the masterminds behind the killing are yet to be identified. It is now established that the killing was sponsored and carried out by a Hindutva outfit, Gauri’s sister Kavitha Lankesh tells Mujahid Deputy.
Excerpts from the interview:
Since the day your sister Gauri was killed, you were confident about SIT and its investigation. Now that the SIT has nabbed five accused, what you have to say?
Very happy, I must say. I had placed my faith on the SIT and knew that the team was on the right path, working diligently without any political bias. The team, however, took more time to make the breakthrough, but it can be understood as the killers had meticulously planned her murder. I was kept in the loop by the SIT and I have been briefed about the developments every 10 days. I am also happy that the SIT has arrested people who had planned to eliminate Professor K.S. Bhagwan and may have averted many more killings, such as Gauri’s.
You always maintained that Gauri was killed for her strong views against Hindutva and fascist organisations. Were these only speculations or you have proof?
From the day Gauri was shot dead, many theories regarding the people and organisations behind her murder started to float in the media and discussed among people. Right from personal rivalry to professional, naxals to rightists, all the angles were suspected. The right-wing angle, however, was more looked into, considering Gauri’s bitter relationship with Hindutva and saffron fringes. With SIT having five accused in its custody and all of them having links with one or other Hindutva outfits, I am convinced that it was Hindutva ideologist who killed my sister.
How do you respond to the allegation that Gauri was anti-Hindu?
I have read some articles in which Gauri was described anti-Hindu. It’s ridiculous. There is a huge difference between anti-Hindu and anti-Hindutva. Gauri was a critic of Hindutva ideology and fascist groups, which are into silencing all rationalists, whose views contradict theirs. She was never against Hindus for she believed there are Hindu organisation working for peace and communal harmony.
Have you planned to meet the new chief minister to discuss the case and the investigation?
Yes, I have planned to meet Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and submit a letter requesting him to ensure that the investigation continues and the culprits are brought to book soon. I have confidence in the government as well as on SIT.
How far has the documentary project on Gauri’s life progressed?
Gauri lived a celebrated life and left behind an everlasting legacy. The project is still in the discussion stage as we are gathering all the information related to her. We are making sure that the documentary would have everything, her early life, her relationships, arguments and discussions. There are about eight books written on her, which we will refer for the documentary and will soon complete it.
