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Gauri Lankesh murder: Journalist’s brother claims naxal hand, sister says “he has no clue”

Published

9 years ago

on

Gauri Lankesh murder case

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A day after claiming that Gauri had no personal enemies, Indrajit says she was getting hate mails from Naxals, their sister Kavita refutes the claim

A day after he told media persons that his sister, slain senior journalist Gauri Lankesh, had “no personal enemy but only ideological enemies”, Indrajit Lankesh, on Thursday, claimed that naxalites could be behind the murder – something that was immediately refuted by their sister, Kavita.

The comments by Indrajit – who also claimed that the police are probing the possibility of a naxal-hand in Gauri’s murder – seem to have divided the already grief-stricken family. Kavita, also a filmmaker and who lived with Gauri and their mother at the Rajarajeshwari Nagar residence in Bengaluru where the murder took place on Tuesday night, said Indrajit “had no clue about her (Gauri’s) life… she lived with us.”

Those who have known Gauri well – many of them journalists and her former colleagues – have been shocked at Indrajit’s sudden and inexplicable change of stand.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]That Indrajit and Gauri had major ideological differences was well known among the former’s friends. A close friend of Gauri pointed out on condition of anonymity, “When their father, journalist, academician, poet and filmmaker P Lankesh passed away in 2000, Gauri wanted to discontinue the publication of his tabloid – Lankesh Patrike because she thought that the family could never match up to the standards set by her father. However, Indrajit decided to continue with the tabloid forcing Gauri ro establish her independent tabloid titled Gauri Lankesh Patrike a few years later.”

File photo of Indrajit Lankesh

File photo of Indrajit Lankesh

In later years, while Gauri’s views against the BJP, RSS, right-wing fundamentalist organisations and communalism became increasingly acrid, Indrajit moved closer to the BJP. As recent as in July 2017, Indrajit had indicated to reporters in Bengaluru that he was set to join the BJP – a party Gauri detested – and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi – a leader Gauri held utter contempt for.

It was thus not surprising that when BJP leaders like Union minister and Bengaluru MP Ananth Kumar decided to demand that Gauri’s murder be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as he had no faith in the Bengaluru police, Indrajit too backed the demand. Their sister, Kavita, was however maintained that “I don’t care who investigates the case as long as my sister’s killers are caught and brought to justice”.

On Thursday, as Indrajit added another dimension to Gauri’s murder by speculating it to be the handiwork of naxalites, Kavita was predictably livid.

Indrajit claimed: “Gauri succeeded in bringing a couple of people from naxalism into the mainstream. For that, she was getting some hate mails, hate letters… this is an angle that the police are working on.” He added that Gauri’s success in bringing Sirimane Nagaraj, a prominent Naxalite leader, into the mainstream might have irked the Naxals.

File photo of Kavita Lankesh

File photo of Kavita Lankesh

Kavita retorted saying: “He (Indrajit) has no clue about Naxals. Gauri worked for the Naxals for years and against the Sangh Parivar. I am not sure why my brother is speaking what he is speaking. He had no clue about her life.”

In 2005, both Gauri and Indrajit had filed police complaints against each other. Indrajit, who was the proprietor and publisher of Lankesh Patrike, was against Gauri’s pro-Naxalite stand. Indrajit had registered a police complaint about a computer, printer and scanner which had gone missing from the publication’s office. Gauri Lankesh, on her part, filed a counter complaint and alleged that Indrajit had threatened her with a revolver.

One does not know whether their rocky past was now determining Indrajit’s statements on the possible motive behind his sister’s gruesome murder.

Meanwhile, trading of barbs has continued between the Opposition and the BJP over the murder. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of silencing dissent saying it was part of “their” ideology. “Anyone who speaks against BJP is silenced. People say that the prime minister is quiet and he has not said anything. The point is the entire ideology is to silence voices,” Rahul said.

Gauri Lankesh murder: Journalist’s brother claims naxal hand, sister says “he has no clue”The CPM too has maintained that Gauri’s murder follows a familiar pattern earlier witnessed with the murders of rationalists and fierce opponents of the BJP like Narendra Dhabolkar, Govind Pansare and MM Kalburgi. All of them, like Gauri, were murdered by bike-borne assailants using a country made revolver and all of them had been opposed to right-wing fundamentalism.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, who has already ordered setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the state police under an Inspector General level officer with the task of expeditiously solving the blind murder, has said that he has an “open mind” on referring the probe to the CBI and would do so if Gauri’s family members ask for a probe from the central agency.

The Karnataka police which has retrieved a low-resolution footage from the two CCTV cameras outside Gauri’s house said that the footage shows the killer wearing a black helmet approaching Gauri as she walked to the gate of her house to unlock it and then opening fire at her. The police are currently collecting footage from all CCTV cameras along the stretch between Basavanagudi, from where Gauri left, and Rajarajeshwari Nagar, before she was shot dead.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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PM Modi takes aim at critics with Dimagi Naxal remark at SRCC centenary address

PM Modi revived his dimagi Naxal remark at SRCC’s centenary celebrations and spoke about India’s development journey.

Published

8 hours ago

on

September 6, 2026

By

PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi revived his ‘dimagi Naxal’ remark while addressing the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) in Delhi on Saturday, using the term to criticise his opponents.

Speaking to students at the Delhi college, PM Modi described the phrase as a “homeopathic pill” and said it had prompted those he described as “dimagi Naxals” to come forward and reveal their views.

The prime minister also used his address to speak to Gen-Z about India’s development journey and asked students to consider the challenges the country had faced in the past.

PM Modi recalls past crises

During his speech, PM Modi referred to the 2013 Kedarnath disaster and the 2008 global financial crisis while criticising the handling of national emergencies by previous governments.

He said the government at the time of the Kedarnath disaster was shaken and questioned its ability to respond to the crisis.

Referring to the 2008 banking crisis, PM Modi alleged that the government of the time failed to effectively deal with the situation and claimed that India’s banking system was pushed close to collapse.

Prime minister lists challenges faced by his government

PM Modi also highlighted several major global crises that occurred during his government’s tenure.

He mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, disruptions to global trade and supply chains, and the crisis in West Asia.

The prime minister said there had been concerns that India would struggle during these crises but argued that the country had continued to move forward.

PM Modi’s earlier SRCC visit

PM Modi had earlier visited SRCC in 2013, when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. His speech at the college received significant attention, particularly on social media, ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

His latest visit came during the college’s centenary celebrations, where his address focused on young people, India’s development ambitions and the challenges faced by the country.

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India Metro Rail Network May Overtake US in 2 Years

India’s metro rail network has reached 1,170 km across 26 cities. Union minister Manohar Lal said the country could overtake the US in network length within two years.

Published

22 hours ago

on

September 5, 2026

By

Manohar Lal Khattar

India is on track to become the country with the second-largest metro rail network in the world after China, with Union Minister Manohar Lal saying the country could overtake the United States within the next two years.

India’s metro rail network has now expanded to 1,170 km across 26 cities. The network is only 216 km shorter than the US metro rail network, which stands at 1,386 km, according to figures cited by the minister.

India’s metro network expands rapidly

Speaking after the inauguration of an extended metro service in Indore, Manohar Lal highlighted the pace at which metro connectivity has grown in India.

He said metro services were operational across just 245 km in five cities when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014. The network has since expanded to 1,170 km across 26 cities.

The minister said India could overtake the US in terms of metro rail network length in the next two years and become the world’s second-largest country in this segment after China.

China currently has around 8,000 km of metro rail lines, according to the figures cited by the minister.

Indore metro extension inaugurated

The minister made the remarks after inaugurating an extended section of the Indore metro. The project was built at a cost of around Rs 2,850 crore.

The Indore metro was earlier operating commercially on a six-km stretch between Gandhi Nagar and Super Corridor-3 stations. Following the extension, the service will operate on a 17-km route between Gandhi Nagar and Malviya Nagar Chauraha.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the metro service would mark a new phase in Indore’s development. He also said the network would eventually be extended to Ujjain and other nearby areas.

India’s metro rail network: Key figures

  • India currently has 1,170 km of operational metro rail network.
  • Metro services are operational across 26 cities.
  • The US has around 1,386 km of metro rail network.
  • India is currently 216 km behind the US.
  • China has around 8,000 km of metro rail lines.
  • India’s operational network stood at 245 km across five cities in 2014.

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India News

PM Modi returns to SRCC after 13 years, revisits 2013 glass full speech

PM Narendra Modi returned to SRCC after 13 years for its centenary celebrations, revisiting themes from his landmark 2013 address.

Published

23 hours ago

on

September 5, 2026

By

PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) on Saturday, 13 years after his previous visit to the institution as Gujarat chief minister. 

His latest visit came as SRCC marked its centenary celebrations. Modi’s 2013 address at the college had attracted significant attention as he spoke about India’s youth, governance and the country’s demographic potential.

In 2013, Modi was Gujarat chief minister and had not yet been named the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. He returned to the same campus this year as Prime Minister, having completed 12 years as Prime Minister and serving his third consecutive term. 

What PM Modi said at SRCC in 2013

The 2013 lecture was titled Emerging Business Models in the Global Scenario. The address also covered governance and India’s young population.

He described India’s youth as a source of national strength rather than simply a group of new-age voters. He also highlighted India’s demographic advantage and argued that the country needed to make better use of its young population.

One of the notable moments from the speech involved a glass of water.  Modi contrasted the conventional descriptions of a glass as half full or half empty and said he viewed it as full, with half containing water and the other half air.

The speech also included his remarks on technology and young Indians. Referring to an anecdote from a visit to Taiwan, Modi used the phrase “mouse-charmers” to describe Indians using computers and suggested that young Indians had the ability to influence the world through technology.

‘Minimum government, maximum governance’

Modi’s 2013 address also touched on governance. He spoke about the role of government and the need for better governance.

He also spoke about India’s potential in the 21st century. 

Modi returns as PM for SRCC centenary

The September 5 visit coincided with Teachers’ Day and SRCC’s 100th anniversary. The Prime Minister’s Office had announced that Modi would participate in the college’s centenary celebrations and address the gathering. SRCC was established in 1926 by industrialist and philanthropist Sir Shri Ram.

Earlier this year, Modi also met the SRCC governing body at his residence in April in connection with the college’s centenary celebrations and released a commemorative postage stamp marking the occasion. 

The return to SRCC came 13 years after his 2013 appearance at the college, when he addressed students as Gujarat chief minister.

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