Pearl D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 7: The spine chilling murder of senior journlist Gauri Lankesh came as a shock to the journalist and writers' fraternity. When the veteran journalist was killed on Tuesday September evening outside her residence, fears of a shrink in space for free speech began to take shape.

Journalism, as some may say, is a field where such indicents are likely to happen. But a rising trend in putting out voices of dissent is troubling. 'Dissent', as social activist Vidya Dinker said, 'is important for democracy'.

In what may seem as serious times for the democracy, daijiworld spoke to renowned activists, writers and journalists Teesta Setalvad, Kavita Krishnan, Devanooru Mahadeva, K Phaniraj, and P Sainath to understand the magnitude of the prevalent circumstances, and try to allay some fears.

Here is what they had to say:

Do not let fear consume you. Remember we have Constitution in hand and justice and fair play in our heart: Teesta Setalvad

"We are living through difficult times, dark times, even dangerous times. Those who stick to telling the truth to powers that be, as journalists do and are supposed (by their very credo) to do, become a target. That is, if they tell the truth to powers that be fearlessly without shirking their duty. But they are not the only target. Free thinkers, dissenters all are.

"Yet the challenge before us is to be aware of the dangers but not let fear overtake us. Be conscious of it, strategise carefully to overcome it. Be sensible. Always let a collective of people know what you are investigating, where you are going, leave a trail with people reliable and close. On crucial assignments, if needed, don't go alone.

"But above all, do not let the fear consume you. Remember, we have the Constitution in hand and justice and fair play in our heart. That must be enough to seep - or inject out the poison from our midst."

- Teesta Setalvad, civil rights activist and journalist, secretary of Citizens for Justice and Peace

Such organisations will not get punished, and this assurance is given by those in power: Kavita Krishnan

"It's coming after the killing of Dabholkar, Pansare and Kalburgi. Gauri Lankesh's killing is yet another manifestation of right-wing terrorism in India. It is an attempt to silence bold voices against fascism. Sanatan Sanstha instigated hatred against her, for her journalism in their website, in a Marathi article tagging her as anti-Hindu. The organisation is linked to the murder of Govind Pansare. The fact that since 2014 such organisations exist are due to the assurance of those in power. Purohit who accused in the Malegaon blasts case was associated with Abhinav Bharat. Such organisations will not get punished, and this assurance is given by those in power. They have confidence in killing a voice that speaks out boldly, voices of courage and conviction. We are inspired by Gauri and must continue her work, and not be intimidated instead.

"Journalism has a lot to introspect about. Some news channels are propaganda machines for the government and the right-wing threats. These are a shame to journalism. They used their platform for calling her a terrorist training camp. These channels share a responsibility because they justify the killing of people like Gauri Lankesh, on social media and online.

"Gauri Lankesh was a bold and courageous voice. There are strong voices, and Gauri Lankesh was best of them. These voices are being attacked by colleagues in news channels. This needs to stop. These channels should stop getting recognised as news and be recognised as propagandists." -

Kavita Krishnan, secretary, All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA)

Fascism is already here: Rahmat Tarikere

"Karnataka has very few women journalists in editorial posts. Gauri Lankesh was one. She is no more. This is a loss to journalism. There is little representation in the field for women, dalits. Her presence was very significant.

"Gauri was a symbol of courage, of daring. She was an outspoken anti-communal journalist and thinker. While rest of the journalists hesitated to condemn rightist activities, she dared enough to condemn and join the anti-communal forces. As an activist, she participated in movements for communal harmony and was anti-superstitious. Nowadays journalists are part of the establishment. She is one of the rare people who went against it. She had no children but accepted young writers, thinkers as her own. She was a mother figure to many young activists. She called Kanhaiya and Jignesh her adopted sons. She kept encouraging the younger factions and lived the spirit of the Constitution.

The situation where journalists work in safer zones is no more. Journalists have to live in a threatening era. Fascism is already here. This is a new, challenging era. Don't lose heart. Thousands of people are ready to walk in this threatening path. I feel India has much potentiality to protect herself from this kind of onslaught."

- Rahmat Tarikere, Kannada writer and critic, and professor at Kannada University at Hampi

Expect worse: P Sainath

"There is a clear pattern to what is happening. This is not going to subside. It will continue because that atmosphere of threat, intimidation, and violence is legitimised by the most powerful people in the country. You will see people do things because they have shown and proven that they can get away with it. So, expect worse."

- P Sainath, senior journalist

We should stand up on our weak legs, and say 'It is wrong, I don't tolerate this!': K Phaniraj

"It's time to get stunned. It is a time when there is a chill in one's spine. After all, we are human beings and we have to go through this for an instant. Knowing that we are weaklings, knowing that they can easily stamp us down! But we should stand up on our weak legs. And say 'It is wrong, I don't tolerate this!' I am hoping for the collective, the weaker ones, who can collectively stand accepting we are weak."

- K Phaniraj, writer and activist