Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Mar 21: The Deshapremi Sanghatanegala Okkuta took out a procession from Sri Venkataramana temple, Car Street to RTI activist Late Vinayak Baliga's residence at Kalakunj on Monday, March 21 to mark his sixth death anniversary.

Vinayak Baliga was brutally murdered near his residence at Kala Kunj in the early hours of March 21, 2016. The case is yet to be solved and the culprits behind the murder are yet to be punished.

The procession began with a prayer by Vinayak Baliga’s sisters to deity Lord Sri Venkatramana to give justice to their brother.

Activist and president of the Federation of Indian Rationalists' Associations, Prof Narendra Nayak said, ”It has been six years since the murder of RTI activist Vinayak Baliga who raised voice against the irregularities in the temple. He was brutally murdered near his residence in Kalakunj. Forget about Kashmir files, the 'Baliga files' existed with several GBs of evidence pertaining to the irregularities of the temple. After a year of Baliga’s murder, his parents passed away which was no less than a murder since their death occured due to suffering after their son’s death. Vinayak Baliga was relentlessly working for the BJP during the time of election. So far, none of them have shown interest in providing justice to Baliga’s family. Is Chief minister Bommaih daring enough to give Baliga’s murder case to SIT," challenged Prof Nayak.

Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress president Pushpa Amarnath, District Mahila Congress president Shalet Pinto, Congress leaders Prakash Salian, Appi, Mohammed Kunjathbail, Veena P Bhat, Surrayya Anjum, activist Gerald Towers and others were present.

Earlier in the day, veteran CPM leader and polit bureau member Brinda Karat visited slain RTI activist Vinayak Baliga's home and paid tributes.