Mumbai: The Mumbai Press Club expressed serious concern over the killing of senior journalist Gauri Lankesh who was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru on Tuesday evening.
Lankesh, 55, was shot dead by unidentified men from close range; three bullets hit her, one on the forehead, reported news agency IANS.
“We request the government of Karnataka to order a Central Bureau of Indian (CBI) investigation into this sordid killing of a member of the Fourth Estate,” stated Dharmendra Jore, Secretary, Press Club. “The Club also demands that the Karnataka government should ensure that the culprits are subjected to maximum punishment—be it the foot-soldiers or the masterminds.”
Lankesh was the editor of the weekly ‘Gauri Lankesh Patrike,’ a Kannada tabloid. Like her father, who was a noted Kannada writer, Gauri Lankesh faced opposition and criticism of her journalism.
She is survived by her mother, sister Kavitha and brother Indrajit who runs Lankesh Patrike.
At the time of crisis, “we stand behind the family and condemn the killing in strongest possible words and urge for speedy investigation and trial.
“If this is how the Fourth Estate is going to be treated by the powers that be, while the government looks the other way, it is indeed a black hour for Indian democracy,” said Jore.
The Mumbai Press club will join other media organisations to hold a candle light vigil today at 7 pm seeking justice for “our colleague.”
