{{Short description|Indian activist and journalist (1962–2017)}} {{Indian patronymic|Gauri|Lankesh}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2017}} {{Infobox person | name = Gauri Lankesh | image = Gauri Lankesh.jpg | caption = Gauri in 2012 | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1962|1|29}} | birth_place = [[Bangalore]], [[Mysore State]], [[India]] | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2017|9|5|1962|5}} | death_place = [[Bengaluru]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]] | death_cause = [[Murder]] ([[gunshot wound]]s) | occupation = Activist, journalist | employer = [[Lankesh Patrike]] | spouse = [[Chidanand Rajghatta]] | family = [[P. Lankesh]] (father)<br />[[Indrajit Lankesh]] (brother)<br />[[Kavitha Lankesh]] (sister) | awards = [[Anna Politkovskaya Award]] }} '''Gauri Lankesh''' (29 January 1962 – 5 September 2017) was an [[India]]n activist and journalist from [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]]. She worked as an editor in ''[[Lankesh Patrike]]'', a [[Kannada language|Kannada]] weekly started by her father [[P. Lankesh]], and ran her own weekly called ''Gauri Lankesh Patrike''. She was murdered outside her home in [[Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore|Rajarajeshwari Nagar]] on 5 September 2017. At the time of her death, Gauri was known for being a critic of right-wing [[Hindu]] extremism. She was honoured with the [[Anna Politkovskaya Award]] for speaking against right-wing Hindu extremism, campaigning for women's rights and opposing [[Caste system in India#Apartheid and discrimination|caste-based discrimination]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/gauri-lankesh-posthumously-honoured-with-anna-politkovskaya-award/article19802238.ece|title=Gauri Lankesh honoured with Anna Politkovskaya Award|date=5 October 2017|work=The Hindu|access-date=6 October 2017 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
== Early life and career ==
Gauri Lankesh was born into a Kannada [[Lingayat]] family<ref name="FPJ_funeral_2017"/> on 29 January 1962. Her father was the poet-journalist [[P. Lankesh]], who established the [[Kannada language|Kannada-language]] weekly tabloid ''[[Lankesh Patrike]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gauri-lankesh-a-journalist-known-for-anti-establishment-pro-dalit-stand/story-gOa7zJ7Ces2Fv0ZlFJNOTN.html |title=Gauri Lankesh, a journalist known for anti-establishment, pro-Dalit stand |date=5 September 2017 |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906000950/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gauri-lankesh-a-journalist-known-for-anti-establishment-pro-dalit-stand/story-gOa7zJ7Ces2Fv0ZlFJNOTN.html |archive-date=6 September 2017 }}</ref> She had two siblings, [[Kavitha Lankesh|Kavitha]] and [[Indrajit Lankesh|Indrajit]].<ref name="IE_who_2017">{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/gauri-lankesh-senior-journalist-bengaluru-lankesh-patrike-4830415/ |title=Who is Gauri Lankesh? |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |date=5 September 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906000951/http://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/gauri-lankesh-senior-journalist-bengaluru-lankesh-patrike-4830415/ |archive-date=6 September 2017 }}</ref>
Gauri started her career as a journalist with ''[[The Times of India]]'' in Bangalore. Later, she moved to [[Delhi]] with her husband, [[Chidanand Rajghatta]]. Shortly after, she returned to Bangalore, where she worked as a correspondent for the ''Sunday'' magazine for nine years. At the time of her father's death in 2000, she was working for ''[[Eenadu]]'''s [[Telugu language|Telugu]] television channel in Delhi. By this time, she had been a journalist for 16 years.<ref name="rediff_2000">{{cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/may/03gauri.htm |title=Being a woman is my security right now |date=3 May 2000 |work=[[Rediff.com]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328004322/http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/may/03gauri.htm |archive-date=28 March 2010 }}</ref>
=== ''Lankesh Patrike'' ===
When their father P. Lankesh died, Gauri and her younger brother Indrajit visited Mani, the publisher of ''Lankesh Patrike'', and told him that they wanted to discontinue the publication. Mani convinced them against the idea. Gauri then became the editor of ''Lankesh Patrike'', while Indrajit handled the publication's business affairs.<ref name="rediff_2000"/>
Beginning in 2001, differences developed between Gauri and Indrajit over the paper's ideology. These differences became public in February 2005, when a report about a [[Naxalite]] attack on policemen, approved by Gauri, was published in the magazine. On 13 February, Indrajit (who was the paper's proprietor and publisher) withdrew the report, alleging that it favoured the Naxals. On 14 February, Indrajit filed a police complaint against Gauri, accusing her of stealing a computer, printer, and scanner from the publication's office. Gauri filed a counter-complaint, accusing Indrajit of threatening her with a [[revolver]]. On 15 February, Indrajit held a press conference, where he accused Gauri of promoting Naxalism through the paper. Gauri held a separate press conference where she denied the accusation and stated that her brother was opposed to her social activism.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Lankesh-Patrike-family-splits/articleshow/1022189.cms |title='Lankesh Patrike' family splits |date=15 February 2005 |newspaper=The Times of India |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905195806/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Lankesh-Patrike-family-splits/articleshow/1022189.cms |archive-date=5 September 2017 }}</ref> Gauri subsequently started her own Kannada weekly called ''Gauri Lankesh Patrike''.<ref name=economic>{{cite news|title=Activist Gauri Lankesh shot dead at her Bengaluru home|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/senior-journalist-gauri-lankesh-shot-dead-in-bengaluru/articleshow/60381538.cms|access-date=5 September 2017|work=The Economic Times|date=5 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906000949/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/senior-journalist-gauri-lankesh-shot-dead-in-bengaluru/articleshow/60381538.cms|archive-date=6 September 2017}}</ref>
=== Political views and ideology ===
Gauri was a staunch critic of right-wing [[Hindutva]] politics.<ref name="IE_who_2017"/><ref name="nytimes.com">Rollo Romig, [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/14/magazine/gauri-lankesh-murder-journalist.html?action=click&module=Editors%20Picks&pgtype=Homepage "Railing against right-wing Nationalism was a calling, it was also a death sentence. How the journalist Gauri Lankesh became a casualty of India's increasingly intolerant politics"], in ''The New York Times'', 14 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.</ref> In 2003, she opposed [[Sangh Parivar]]'s alleged attempts to Hinduise the [[Sufi]] shrine Guru Dattatreya Baba Budan [[Dargah]] located at [[Baba Budan giri]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2025/stories/20031219002604100.htm |title=A communal campaign |first=Parvathi |last=Menon |journal=Frontline |volume=20 |issue=25 |date=6 December 2003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906000950/http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2025/stories/20031219002604100.htm |archive-date=6 September 2017 }}</ref> In 2012, while participating in a protest demanding a ban on [[Communalism (South Asia)|communal]] groups in [[Mangalore]], she stated that [[Hinduism]] was not a religion but a "system of hierarchy in society" in which "women are treated as second-class creatures".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=145927 |title=Mangalore: Speakers at Komu Souharda Vedike Protest Urge Ban on Communal Outfits |date=4 August 2012 |publisher=[[Daijiworld]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906000951/http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=145927 |archive-date=6 September 2017 }}</ref> She endorsed a minority religion tag for the [[Lingayatism|Lingayat community]] and headed the Komu Souharda Vedike, a communal harmony platform for the oppressed communities. She was also of the view that the followers of philosopher [[Basavanna]] were not Hindus.<ref name=economic/>
Gauri was known for advocating [[freedom of the press]].<ref name="IE_who_2017"/> She had written about the wrongdoings of the [[Indian National Congress]] leader, [[D. K. Shivakumar]], a close associate of the former [[Chief Minister of Karnataka]], [[S. M. Krishna]].<ref name="ToI_Jayanthi_2014">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Gauri-and-Kavitha-Lankesh-Tale-of-two-sisters/articleshow/33988780.cms |title=Gauri and Kavitha Lankesh—Tale of two sisters |first=Jayanthi |last=Madhukar |newspaper=The Times of India |date=20 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030102554/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Gauri-and-Kavitha-Lankesh-Tale-of-two-sisters/articleshow/33988780.cms |archive-date=30 October 2016 }}</ref><ref name="rediff_2000"/> She also wrote extensively about sexual assault and rape cases involving religious figures, including those against [[Raghaveshwara Bharati]], the head seer of [[Ramachandrapura Math]], who faced multiple rape allegations.<ref name="TNM_Bharathi_2021">{{cite news |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/powerful-karnataka-seer-accused-2-rape-cases-and-saga-recusals-judges-158410 |title=A powerful Karnataka seer accused in 2 rape cases and a saga of recusals by judges |publisher=The News Minute |date=31 December 2021 |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref> She was opposed to the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) and ended her 35-year friendship with [[Prakash Belawadi]] when the latter became a media advisor to the BJP during the [[2014 Indian general election]].<ref name="BM_35_2014">{{cite news |url=http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/prakash-belawadi-gouri-lankesh-journalist-lok-sabha-elections-brahminism-friendship/articleshow/35172466.cms? |title=A friendship of 35 years broke |date=16 May 2014 |newspaper=Bangalore Mirror }}</ref> In November 2014, the Congress-led Karnataka government appointed Gauri as a member of a committee aimed at convincing Naxalites to give up violence and surrender. However, a delegation of BJP leaders accused her of being a Naxalite sympathiser and demanded her removal from the committee. The chief minister [[Siddaramaiah]] rejected the demand.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/bjp-wants-gauri-lankesh-out-of-naxal-panel/article6601428.ece |title=BJP wants Gauri Lankesh out of naxal panel |newspaper=The Hindu |author=B.S. Satish Kumar |date=15 November 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906000949/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/bjp-wants-gauri-lankesh-out-of-naxal-panel/article6601428.ece |archive-date=6 September 2017 }}</ref>
Gauri was openly critical of the [[Caste system in India|caste system]].<ref name="IE_who_2017"/> In 2015, some [[Brahmin]]s accused her of criticising the novelist [[S. L. Bhyrappa]] and [[Brahminism]] during the 81st [[Kannada Sahitya Sammelana]] (Kannada literary conference) held at [[Shravanabelagola]].<ref name="TH_Action_2015"/> At the conference, Gauri remarked that the non-Brahmin [[Dalit]] author [[Perumal Murugan]] was criticised by right-wing Hindu groups for depicting a childless Hindu couple who indulged in consensual sex rituals outside of marriage to have children in his book ''[[One Part Woman]]''. She then pointed out that the Brahmin novelist S. L. Bhyrappa had also depicted the similar [[Niyoga]] practice in his novel ''[[Parva (novel)|Parva]]'', a retelling of the Hindu epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. She clarified that she was supportive of both these writers, and asked why the Hindu groups who were offended by Perumal Murugan were not offended by Bhyrappa.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/lives/731 |title=The politics of the times decides whether a Perumal Murugan, S L Bhyrappa, or Muddupalani get hounded or not |date=21 March 2015 |publisher=News Laundry |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825084028/http://www.thenewsminute.com/lives/731 |archive-date=25 August 2015 }}</ref> On 19 February 2015, protesters from the Hassan Zilla Brahmin Sabha ("[[Hassan district]] [[Brahmin]] Association") organised a rally against her, urging the police to register a [[First Information Report]] against her.<ref name="TH_Action_2015">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/action-sought-against-gauri-lankesh/article6915580.ece |title=Action sought against Gauri Lankesh |date=20 February 2015 |newspaper=The Hindu }}</ref>
=== Legal controversies === Gauri faced several legal cases during her career as a journalist and activist. She had three cases filed against her in [[Dakshina Kannada]] district, including two defamation cases filed by Raghaveshwara Bharati for writing about his alleged rapes and sexual assaults.<ref name="ToI_DK_cases_2017">{{cite news |date=6 September 2017 |title=Gauri Lankesh had 3 cases against her in Dakshina Kannada |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/gauri-lankesh-had-3-cases-against-her-in-dakshina-kannada/articleshow/60395050.cms |access-date=2 July 2025 |newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref>
== Defamation conviction in 2016 == On 23 January 2008, Gauri published an article titled "Darodegilada BJP galu" in her newspaper. The article criticised the BJP leaders [[Pralhad Joshi]], Umesh Dushi, Shivanand Bhat, and Venkatesh Mestry.<ref name="NIE_convicted">{{cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2016/nov/28/senior-journalist-gauri-lankesh-convicted-in-defamation-case-1543492.html |title=Senior journalist Gauri Lankesh convicted in defamation case |newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=28 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210093920/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2016/nov/28/senior-journalist-gauri-lankesh-convicted-in-defamation-case-1543492.html |archive-date=10 December 2016 }}</ref> The article stated that the three BJP workers had cheated a jeweller of {{INRConvert|100|k|year=2016}}.<ref name="NL_Manisha_2016"/> It also stated that the jeweller sought payment from [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]] Joshi and threatened to approach the police should Joshi refuse to help him.<ref name="Wire_Titash_2016"/> Gauri later claimed that the article was based on "sources within the BJP".<ref name="NL_Manisha_2016">{{cite news |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2016/11/30/gauri-lankesh-modi-bhakts-and-the-hindutva-brigade-want-me-in-jail |title=Gauri Lankesh: 'Modi Bhakts and the Hindutva brigade want me in jail' |first=Manisha |last=Pande |date=30 November 2016 |publisher=News Laundry |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906000949/https://www.newslaundry.com/2016/11/30/gauri-lankesh-modi-bhakts-and-the-hindutva-brigade-want-me-in-jail |archive-date=6 September 2017 }}</ref>
Joshi and Dushi filed separate [[defamation]] suits against Gauri.<ref name="NIE_convicted"/> In Dushi's case, she was a co-accused with Devanand Jagapur, the writer of the article.<ref name="Wire_Titash_2016">{{cite news |url=https://thewire.in/84674/gauri-lankesh-defamation-bjp/ |title=The Right to Dissent is Being Threatened, Says Gauri Lankesh |first=Titash |last=Sen |date=11 December 2016 |work=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905175227/https://thewire.in/84674/gauri-lankesh-defamation-bjp/ |archive-date=5 September 2017 }}</ref>
Gauri stated that she was being targeted for her left-leaning political views, as the BJP leaders did not sue other local dailies who had published the same allegations.<ref name="NL_Manisha_2016"/> Gauri moved the case to the [[Karnataka High Court|High Court]], seeking dismissal of the case against her. However, in 2016, the High Court refused to dismiss the case and gave instructions for the hearing to be continued in the lower court. The High Court granted a four-week stay on the case, however, and directed the lower court to complete the trial within six months.<ref name="NIE_bail_2016">{{cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2016/oct/02/gauri-lankesh-granted-bail-1518836.html |title=Gauri Lankesh granted bail |newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=2 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906000949/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2016/oct/02/gauri-lankesh-granted-bail-1518836.html |archive-date=6 September 2017 }}</ref>
In October 2016, the second [[Courts of Judicial Magistrate of First Class|Judicial Magistrate First Class]] (JMFC) Court at [[Hubli]] issued an arrest warrant for Gauri after she failed to appear before the court and did not respond to earlier warrants. The police detained her and produced her before the court on 1 October 2016. She was released on bail after furnishing a personal bond of {{INRConvert|25|k|year=2016}}.<ref name="NIE_bail_2016"/>
On 27 November 2016, the second JMFC court concluded that Gauri had failed to provide any substantial evidence for her criticism of the BJP leaders and found her guilty of defamation. The court imposed a fine of {{INRConvert|5|k|year=2016}} on her in each case. Besides the total fine of {{INRConvert|10|k|year=2016}}, the court also sentenced her to six months imprisonment.<ref name="NIE_convicted"/> Her co-accused, Devanand Jagapur, was acquitted by the same court.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/Journalist-convicted-in-defamation-case/articleshow/55679022.cms? |title=Journalist convicted in defamation case |date=29 November 2016 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130035920/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/Journalist-convicted-in-defamation-case/articleshow/55679022.cms |archive-date=30 November 2016 }}</ref> The same court granted her anticipatory bail, however, which allowed her to avoid prison time.<ref name="NIE_convicted"/>
Gauri stated that the BJP leaders had managed to cover their tracks by reaching a compromise with the jeweler; she refused to disclose her source for the corruption allegations against them.<ref name="NL_Manisha_2016"/> She also described the court verdict as a temporary setback and declared that she would challenge it in the higher court.<ref name="NIE_convicted"/>
== Personal life ==
Gauri and [[Chidanand Rajghatta]] divorced after five years of marriage;<ref>{{cite news|last1=Roy|first1=Nilanjana|title=Gauri Lankesh, journalist and activist, 1962–2017|url=https://www.ft.com/content/961c5e1c-93b5-11e7-83ab-f4624cccbabe|access-date=8 September 2017|date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908202227/https://www.ft.com/content/961c5e1c-93b5-11e7-83ab-f4624cccbabe|archive-date=8 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> she remained single after the separation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/who-gauri-lankesh-complete-profile-fearless-firebrand-journalist-741021 |title=Who is Gauri Lankesh? Complete profile of the fearless firebrand journalist |date=6 September 2017 |first=Prakash |last=Upadhyaya |newspaper=International Business Times |access-date=6 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906223923/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/who-gauri-lankesh-complete-profile-fearless-firebrand-journalist-741021 |archive-date=6 September 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.oneindia.com/india/gauri-never-preached-violence-recalls-family-friend-2537304.html |title='Gauri never preached violence,' recalls family friend |date=6 September 2017 |author=Chennabasaveshwar |work=OneIndia }}</ref> Although she lived alone<ref name=ndtv/> and did not have any children, she considered the activists [[Jignesh Mevani]], [[Kanhaiya Kumar]], [[Umar Khalid]] and [[Shehla Rashid Shora]] her "adopted children" metaphorically.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gauri Lankesh murder: Journalist's 'adopted' children mourn her death|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gauri-lankesh-murder-adopted-children-condole-death-journalist-4830757/|access-date=6 September 2017|work=The Indian Express|date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906070832/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gauri-lankesh-murder-adopted-children-condole-death-journalist-4830757/|archive-date=6 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Gauri Lankesh's 'Adopted Children' Jignesh Mevani, Kanhaiya, Shehla Rashid, Umar Khalid Express Shock On Social Media|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/gauri-lankeshs-adopted-children-jignesh-mevani-kanhaiya-shehla-rashid-umar-khali/301316|access-date=6 September 2017|work=Outlook India|date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906110535/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/gauri-lankeshs-adopted-children-jignesh-mevani-kanhaiya-shehla-rashid-umar-khali/301316|archive-date=6 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Patel|first1=Aakar|title=Gauri Lankesh, champion of dissent, was fearless even in death; journalist's killing tests India's values|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/gauri-lankesh-champion-of-dissent-was-fearless-even-in-death-journalists-killing-tests-indias-values-4013075.html|access-date=6 September 2017|work=Firstpost|date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907032650/http://www.firstpost.com/india/gauri-lankesh-champion-of-dissent-was-fearless-even-in-death-journalists-killing-tests-indias-values-4013075.html|archive-date=7 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Death ==
On 5 September 2017, Gauri died after being shot by three unidentified men at her house in [[Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore|Rajarajeshwari Nagar]], Bangalore. The men fired at least seven bullets at her at around 8 p.m. as she was unlocking the main door of her house after returning from her office.<ref name="ToI_shot_2017"/> One of the killers, who was waiting for her near her house, fired the first shots at her, while the two others, who are suspected to have followed her from her office, joined the initial shooter thereafter. The killers were wearing helmets and escaped on a two-wheeler [[Honda Dio]] after the murder.<ref name="BM_mortem_2017"/> Three of the bullets pierced Gauri's head, neck, and chest, killing her instantly.<ref name="ToI_shot_2017">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/noted-journalist-gauri-lankesh-shot-dead-at-her-house/articleshow/60380886.cms |title=Senior journalist Gauri Lankesh shot dead at her house |first=Rajiv |last=Kalkod |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=5 September 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906000949/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/noted-journalist-gauri-lankesh-shot-dead-at-her-house/articleshow/60380886.cms |archive-date=6 September 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Senior journalist Gauri Lankesh shot dead at her Bengaluru home, kin demands CBI probe|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/journalist-gauri-lankesh-shot-dead-bengaluru-1038639-2017-09-05|access-date=5 September 2017|work=[[India Today]]|date=5 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906000951/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/journalist-gauri-lankesh-shot-dead-bengaluru/1/1041572.html|archive-date=6 September 2017}}</ref>
=== Reactions === The murder was condemned by several people and organisations, including the Indian National Congress and the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]]. The Congress leader and Karnataka Home Minister [[Ramalinga Reddy]] compared the murder to that of [[Narendra Dabholkar]] and [[M. M. Kalburgi]]. Controversial statements by BJP MLA [[D. N. Jeevaraj]] and [[Sri Ram Sena]] chief [[Pramod Muthalik]] were widely criticized.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/bjp-mlas-remarks-on-gauri-lankeshs-murder-trigger-a-row/article19639116.ece|title=BJP MLA's remarks on Gauri Lankesh's murder trigger a row|publisher=Mangalore Today|date=Sep 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pramod-muthalik-compares-gauri-lankesh-s-murder-to-dog-s-death-clarifies-later-1262801-2018-06-17|title=Pramod Muthalik compares Gauri Lankesh's murder to dog's death|publisher=India Today|date=June 17, 2018}}</ref> The state police chief, R. K. Dutta, refused to suggest any possible suspects without investigation. BJP leaders criticised the Congress-led state government for allegedly failing to protect the lives of Gauri and other writers like Kalburgi.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-senior-journalist-gauri-lankesh-shot-dead-at-her-bengaluru-home-399964 |title=Senior journalist Gauri Lankesh shot dead at her Bengaluru home |date=6 September 2017 |publisher=India TV }}</ref> Protests over her death took place all across India, including a rally in Bangalore a week after the funeral attended by more than 25,000 people.<ref name="BM_mortem_2017"/><ref name="BBC Protests">{{cite news|title=Protest for justice over murdered Indian journalist|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-41239283|access-date=12 September 2017|publisher=BBC News|date=12 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913013820/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-41239283|archive-date=13 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
Gauri was given a [[state funeral]] with a [[21-gun salute|gun salute]] on 6 September, after her body was kept for a few hours at [[Ravindra Kalakshetra]] for the public to pay tribute.<ref name=ndtv>{{cite news|last1=Sharma|first1=Maya|title=State Funeral, Candlelight Vigils For Journalist Gauri Lankesh Amid Outrage Over Her Murder|url=http://www.ndtv.com/bangalore-news/gauri-lankesh-murder-bengaluru-outraged-over-murder-of-journalist-1746669|access-date=6 September 2017|publisher=NDTV|date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906090048/http://www.ndtv.com/bangalore-news/gauri-lankesh-murder-bengaluru-outraged-over-murder-of-journalist-1746669|archive-date=6 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> She was buried in accordance with [[Lingayat]] customs. Her family did not follow any religious customs for her as she identified as a [[rationalist]].<ref name="FPJ_funeral_2017">{{cite news |url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/india/thousands-bid-tearful-farewell-to-journalist-gauri-lankesh-in-bengaluru/1132650 |title=Thousands bid tearful farewell to journalist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru |date=6 September 2017 |newspaper=The Free Press Journal |access-date=6 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909120001/http://www.freepressjournal.in/india/thousands-bid-tearful-farewell-to-journalist-gauri-lankesh-in-bengaluru/1132650 |archive-date=9 September 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[BBC]] described it as the most high-profile journalist murdered in recent years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gauri Lankesh: Indian journalist shot dead in Bangalore|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-41169817|access-date=12 September 2017|publisher=BBC|date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913095942/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-41169817|archive-date=13 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
The ''[[New York Times]]'' reported that several accounts followed by prime minister [[Narendra Modi]] had posted "hateful" tweets in response to Lankesh's assassination, prompting a debate in India.<ref>{{cite news|title=India's Modi Criticized for Following Twitter Feed Tied to Nasty Post|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/world/asia/india-modi-twitter.html|access-date=19 May 2018|work=The New York Times|date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520054455/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/world/asia/india-modi-twitter.html|archive-date=20 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
Her close friend and actor [[Prakash Raj]] commented that "When I was burying Gowri, I said I'm not burying Gowri but burying a seed," at the [[Wayanad Literature Festival|Wayanad Literature Festival.]]<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIdcl4i_FH8 |title=WLF 2024 {{!}} Prakash Raj in Conversation with Dhanya Rajendran {{!}} Art and Politics |date=2025-01-10 |last=WLF {{!}} Wayanad Literature Festival |access-date=2025-11-12 |via=YouTube}}</ref> For many across the nation, her death was a wake up call to take action and highlight the precarious state of press freedom in the country. "Before Gowri's death, I was an angry man, yes, but not to this extent," he added.
=== Investigation ===
During their investigation, the police accessed [[CCTV]] footage from her residence and the route leading from [[Basavanagudi]] to her house.<ref name="BM_mortem_2017">{{cite news |url=http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/crime/gauri-lankesh-murder-post-mortem-continues-arrangements-for-funeral-underway/articleshow/60387355.cms |title=Gauri Lankesh murder: Post mortem continues, arrangements for funeral underway |date=6 September 2017 |author=Shyam Prasad S |access-date=6 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906111436/http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/crime/gauri-lankesh-murder-post-mortem-continues-arrangements-for-funeral-underway/articleshow/60387355.cms |archive-date=6 September 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The city was kept on high alert the day after her death, with police deployed at toll gates in [[Nelamangala]], [[Hosur Road]] and [[NICE Road]] in search of the killers. Vehicles entering or exiting the city underwent stringent checks, while police in the neighbouring states of [[Andhra Pradesh]], Maharashtra and [[Tamil Nadu]] were also alerted.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gauri Lankesh's death: Cops hunt for killers, Bengaluru on high alert|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/gauri-lankeshs-death-bengaluru-on-high-alert/articleshow/60386107.cms|access-date=6 September 2017|work=The Times of India|date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906101745/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/gauri-lankeshs-death-bengaluru-on-high-alert/articleshow/60386107.cms|archive-date=6 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 8, 2017, the Karnataka government announced a reward of {{INRConvert|1|m|year=2017}} for providing information about the killers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gauri Lankesh's murder: Karnataka government announces Rs 10 lakh reward for anyone providing clues|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gauri-lankeshs-murder-karnataka-government-announces-rs-10-lakh-reward-for-anyone-providing-clues/articleshow/60424560.cms|access-date=8 September 2017|work=The Times of India|date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910215732/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gauri-lankeshs-murder-karnataka-government-announces-rs-10-lakh-reward-for-anyone-providing-clues/articleshow/60424560.cms|archive-date=10 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2018, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder case detained two suspects, whom they also suspected of being involved in the murders of Dabholkar and Kalburgi.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/eight-months-after-gauri-lankeshs-murder-2nd-man-detained/articleshow/64117219.cms |title=Eight months after Gauri Lankesh's murder, 2nd man detained |date=11 May 2018 |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=19 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513214031/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/eight-months-after-gauri-lankeshs-murder-2nd-man-detained/articleshow/64117219.cms |archive-date=13 May 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2018, the SIT stated that Parashuram Waghmore had confessed to the murder: he claimed that he was told to kill someone to save his religion, and that he did not know who the victim was.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/i-killed-gauri-lankesh-to-save-my-religion-waghmore-to-sit/articleshow/64608133.cms |title=I killed Gauri Lankesh to save my religion: Waghmore to SIT |newspaper=The Times of India |date=16 June 2018 |first=Rajiv |last=Kalkod |access-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616043649/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/i-killed-gauri-lankesh-to-save-my-religion-waghmore-to-sit/articleshow/64608133.cms |archive-date=16 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2018, Maharashtra ATS detained 2 suspects related to Gauri's murder and also recovered a cache of weapons from them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/gauri-lankesh-murder-maharashtra-ats-takes-custody-of-two-accused/article24941045.ece|title=Gauri Lankesh murder: Maharashtra ATS takes custody of two accused|first=Gautam S.|last=Mengle|date=13 September 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> A March 2019 ''New York Times'' article on Gauri Lankesh includes a discussion of the police investigation and murder charges.<ref name="nytimes.com"/> Her relatives and friends discuss the investigation in a podcast published by openDemocracy<ref>{{Cite web|last=Penny|first=Dale|date=January 19, 2022|title=Killing the Truth: the case of Gauri Lankesh|url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/podcasts/podcast-killing-the-truth/killing-the-truth-the-case-of-gauri-lankesh/|access-date=|website=openDemocracy}}</ref> in January 2022.
On 11 August 2022, the special court for Karnataka Control of Organised Crime examined three more witnesses, including two policemen, in the murder trial.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gauri Lankesh Murder Trial: 3 More Witnesses Examined |url=https://thewire.in/law/gauri-lankesh-murder-trial-3-more-witnesses-examined |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=The Wire}}</ref>
==In popular culture==
{{External media|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiQKtIOcha69CDZucPo8oYw/playlists विवेक धारावाहिक Vivek Reason] on [[YouTube]].}}
* The assassination of Gauri Lankesh is featured along with assassinations of other rationalists such as [[Narendra Dabholkar]], [[M. M. Kalburgi]] and [[Govind Pansare]] in the documentary mini-series [[Reason (film)|Vivek-Reason]] by [[Anand Patwardhan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Neil |date=4 December 2018 |title='Reason' ('Vivek'): Film Review {{!}} IDFA 2018 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/reason-vivek-1165901/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanyal |first=Biaas |date=27 April 2019 |title=Anand Patwardhan's Reason Highlights The Brilliant Minds Lost To Reckless Divisive Violence |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/indepth-stories/bollywood/anand-patwardhans-reason-highlights-the-brilliant-minds-lost-to-reckless-divisive-violence |access-date=2 March 2025 |website=filmcompanion |language=en}}</ref> * The Malayalam film [[19(1)(A)]] is loosely based on Gauri Lankesh.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vetticad |first=Anna MM |date=4 August 2022 |title=19(1)(a) movie review: Nithya Menen and Vijay Sethupathi lead a meditative ode to the idea called Gauri Lankesh |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/191a-movie-review-nithya-menen-and-vijay-sethupathi-lead-a-meditative-ode-to-the-idea-called-gauri-lankesh-11008331.html |access-date=2 March 2025 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=5 April 2023 |title='19(1)(a)' to be screened at 45th Moscow International Film Festival |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2023/Apr/05/191a-to-be-screened-at-45th-moscow-international-film-festival-2562972.html |access-date=2 March 2025 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en |quote=19(1)(a) is a political film loosely inspired by the tragic death of activist-journalist Gauri Lankesh.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Priya |first=Lakshmi |date=29 July 2022 |title=19(1)(a) review: Nithya Menen-starrer is a relevant political drama, but has flaws |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/191a-review-nithya-menen-starrer-relevant-political-drama-has-flaws-166325 |access-date=2 March 2025 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref>
==Legacy== Gauri Lankesh is seen as an important figure for people protesting against rightward shift in the Indian governance. On her third death anniversary, several journalists and activists participated in #IfWeDoNotRise campaign in her memory and in wake of arrests of dissidents across the nation.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Banuana|first1=Vanshita|title=#IfWeDoNotRise: Gauri Lankesh's Legacy Lives On|url=https://www.globalviews360.com/articles/ifwedonotrise-gauri-lankeshs-legacy-lives-on|publisher=Global Views 360|date=5 September 2020|archive-date=31 January 2022|access-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131091830/https://www.globalviews360.com/articles/ifwedonotrise-gauri-lankeshs-legacy-lives-on|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2021, the [[Canada|Canadian]] city of [[Burnaby]] decided to celebrate September 5, her death anniversary, as Gauri Lankesh Day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/canadian-city-to-celebrate-gauri-lankesh-day-on-september-5-101630587492330.html|title=Canadian city to celebrate Gauri Lankesh Day on September 5|date=2 September 2021|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
In 2023, "[[Forbidden Stories]] pursued Lankesh’s work on fake news and explored new leads in her murder case" as part of the case series ''Story Killers''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rueckert |first=Phineas |date=2023-02-14 |title=In the age of false news: A journalist, a murder, and the pursuit of an unfinished investigation in India |url=https://forbiddenstories.org/story-killers/gauri-lankesh-in-the-age-of-false-news/ |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=[[Forbidden Stories]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2024, American journalist Rollo Romig published the book ''[[I Am on the Hit List]]: A Journalist's Murder and the Myth-Making in South India'', which examines Lankesh's murder, the subsequent investigation linking it to right-wing groups such as the [[Sanatan Sanstha]], and the ideological conflicts in [[South India]] at the time.<ref name="tribune">{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Supriya |title=A journalist's killing, a restless metropolis & the ideological divide |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/book-reviews/a-journalists-killing-a-restless-metropolis-the-ideological-divide/ |access-date=April 4, 2025 |work=[[The Tribune (India)|The Tribune India]] |date=September 15, 2024}}</ref><ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |last=Barry |first=Ellen |title='I Am on the Hit List' by Rollo Romig: A Journalist's Murder in India |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/06/books/review/i-am-on-the-hit-list-rollo-romig.html |access-date=April 4, 2025 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 6, 2024}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://dsimian.com/2022/08/15/four-indian-intellectuals-who-were-murdered-for-their-ideas-2013-2017/ Four Indian intellectuals who were murdered for their ideas (2013-2017)]
{{commons category}} {{Authority control}} {{Portal bar|Biography|India}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lankesh, Gauri}} [[Category:1962 births]] [[Category:2017 deaths]] [[Category:Murdered Indian journalists]] [[Category:Writers from Bengaluru]] [[Category:Kannada-language writers]] [[Category:Indian women journalists]] [[Category:Journalists from Karnataka]] [[Category:Indian activist journalists]] [[Category:Indian feminists]] [[Category:Indian rationalists]] [[Category:Deaths by firearm in India]] [[Category:Journalists killed in India]] [[Category:Women writers from Karnataka]] [[Category:20th-century Indian journalists]] [[Category:21st-century Indian journalists]] [[Category:20th-century Indian women writers]] [[Category:21st-century Indian women writers]] [[Category:Assassinated Indian journalists]] [[Category:2017 murders in India]] [[Category:Hate crimes in India]] [[Category:People murdered in Karnataka]]