Dr MM Kalburgi murder: Even after 2 years police yet to trace culprits
- Rationalist Dr MM Kalburgi was gunned down by miscreants at his own house
- The modus operandi in which he was killed was similar to the way rationalists - Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare - were killed
- Writers and intellectuals to hold protest rally to mark his death anniversary
FollowIt's going to be two years since noted rationalist Dr MM Kalburgi was shot down at his house in Dharwad on August 30, 2015. But till now the investigative agencies have not been able to arrest the culprits. The way in which the investigation is progressing appears that the state government is not serious about the rationalist's murder that had shaken the nation, rue writers, reports Kannada Prabha.
The murder of Dr Kalburgi was akin to the way in which rationalists from Maharashtra Narendra Dabolkar and Govind Pansare were assassinated - all were shot while they were about go for their morning walk by bike-born miscreants. Incidentally, it has been four years since Dabholkar was assassinated and the culprits have not been brought to book yet.
Following intense pressure by the writers and intellectuals, the state government had handed over the case to the CID, but with no clue whatsoever, there is no headway in the probe, reports Kannada Prabha.
The CID sleuths made frequent visits to Dr Kalburgi's residence in Dharwad. Since the bike-borne miscreants had worn masks, his wife, Umadevi - the lone witness - reportedly could not provide more details. Based on her statements, the police had released the sketches of two assailants but so far, nothing beyond that. Earlier, it was speculated that some right wing extremists were behind the murder of Dr Kalburgi, but the police could not zero in on anyone. The CID officials had also visited Gadag, Belagavi and Hubballi and had enquired more than 60 persons. Besides, the CID officials had also visited CBI and SIT officials of Maharashtra who were investigating the Dabholkar and Pansare murders, yet there is no head way.
It may be recalled here that noted author Shashi Deshpande had quit from Sahitya Akademi general council in protest against the delay in arresting the culprits of Dr Kalburgi. Nayantara Sahgal, Jawaharlal Nehru's niece, writer Rahmat Tarikere and others had returned the award in protest against the murder of Prof MM Kalburgi and the growing intolerance in the country.
Upset over the state government's failure to bring Dr Kalburgi's culprits to book, writers, students of Dr Kalburgi and intellectuals are planning to hold a protest rally in Gadag on August 29 on. The Dr Kalburgi Research Centre will also hold 'Swara Shraddanjali' to mark the death anniversary of Dr Kalburgi.
