Why India vehemently protested against the killing of Gauri Lankesh?

A day after the murder of noted journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, protests broke out across India on Wednesday.

Once in a while we see pan-India unity over an issue. On Wednesday, when people in hundreds took to the streets to raise their protest over the brutal murder of Bengaluru-based noted journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, we knew India was not only shocked, pained and angry, but the countrymen wanted justice for the slain editor and an end to the cycle of political killings of dissenters.

From Bengaluru (hometown of Lankesh, where the 55-year-old was shot dead by unidentified assailants at the entrance of her house), Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Tiruvananthapuram to Kolkata, journalists, activists, commoners and politicians took part in protest marches to express their grief over the tragedy.

At the same time the protesters demanded speedy investigation into the ghastly killing and punish the culprits at the earliest. The murder of Lankesh, who was a well-known anti-establishment voice, was seen by many as an attempt to muzzle the voices of dissent.

Here we bring you a glimpse of the protests from various parts of the country...

I am Gauri

Journalists in Bengaluru silently protested against the murder of Lankesh by holding placards with the message, "I am Gauri".

Picture credit: PTI

Mumbai cries for Lankesh

Several well-known personalities in Mumbai, including actor-activist Shabana Azmi and journalist-activist Teesta Setalvad, too took part in the protest rallies.

Picture credit: PTI

A candlelight protest in Kolkata

Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee took part in a candlelight protest in Kolkata to demand justice for Lankesh.

Picture credit: PTI

Delhi’s India Gate protest

Swaraj Abhiyan founder Yogendra Yadav and noted anti-corruption crusader Prashant Bhushan with others during a candlelight vigil at India Gate in New Delhi on Wednesday against killing of journalist Lankesh.

Picture credit: PTI

Patna pained at Lankesh’s death

Members of different organisations during a silent protest against the killing of Lankesh in Patna on Wednesday.

Picture credit: PTI

OneIndia News