Volume 15 | Issue 14
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Kalburgi family searches for clues Kept in dark as CID probe team refuse to share information agency that soon they will catch the culprit. More than the culprit, action should be initiated on the force behind this ghastly murder. “Many writers and individuals have kept Dr MM Kalburgi"s name alive by condemning this assassination. I sincerely thank them all.
Irien Joseph The son of murdered Kannada writer MM Kalburgi says he has been kept in the dark by police investigating his father’s killing. Sri Vijay Kalburgi and other members of the family are now conducting their own investigation into Kalburgi’s death in a bid to unearth clues. Prof. MM Kalburgi was shot dead on his own doorstep on the morning of August 30. He died almost instantly from a single gunshot to the forehead. Almost three months since the murder, police have refused to share any details regarding leads, interviews or arrests with the family. Kalburgi was a rationalist, a respected Kannada writer and a critic of right wing groups. His murder was among several across India which prompted dozens of artists to return national awards in protest over attacks on liberal thinkers. Having served as the ViceChancellor of Kannada University, Kalburgi was awarded the National Sahitya Akademi award in 2006. In 1989, he received threats from community hardliners for writing a book which they claimed tarnished the reputation of a 21st century saint. He received a backlash from the same community hardliners recently when he said that Lingayats could not be called Hindus. Ever since then he had been provided police protection at his home. He requested security be removed just days before he was gunned down. He had been speaking on his
Key moments in Kalburgi’s murder case Aug 30: Scholar MM Kalburgi shot dead. Sep 3: Head of rightwing group Ram Sene detained. Sep 7: CID does not have any leads. Kannada scholar Dr MM Kalburgi, 77, who was gunned down on his doorstep on August 30th. cellphone when someone knocked on the door. When he answered he was shot from point-blank range. The senior officer in charge of the case, Rajappa, refused to comment on allegations made by Kalburgi’s son, Sri Vijay Kalburgi that he had refused to share any information with them. Sri Vijay Kalburgi said: “We have no clue. I tried to contact the CID team, but they said that they are still investigating. They said they have got some clues, none of which has been revealed to us. “Initially the CID team investigated around Dharwad, following which they tracked to
Dr MM Kalburgi with his wife Umadevi
other places. However, after that there hasn’t been any development. With the information they have as of now, I think they don’t know where to go. “As of now, they have not revealed anything to us. We are hoping our CID team will do a good job. “Even we are trying to find any clue with whatever contacts we have in and around Dharwad. “We are also upset that the CID team has not found anything till now. I asked the team for how many days we will have to wait? “They told they are investigating and very soon the culprit will be caught. Umadevi, wife of the scholar, is still in a state of shock but is recovering, according to her son. She was able to give police a description of the man who shot him. Sri Vijay added: “She is fine, still recovering. She is still in shock because we have not found any solution. She has not seen the second person as he was standing outside. She remembers the face of the man who came and knocked on the door. A sketch was made and it was already released.” Dr D C Rajappa, Superintend of Police Cyber Crime division is supervising the investigation. He refused to
comment and disclose any information related to the investigation. He said, “The team has not charge-sheeted the case and so we can’t share any information." On artists returning awards, Vijay said that it is their individual perception and accordingly they are reacting to the situation happening in our country. “One of such cases is my father’s murder,” he added. “I am watching closely and I don’t think any political parties are involved in this murder despite media publishing involvement of political parties. I have no clue whether it has happened because of the right wing groups or professional issues or community issues.” Kalburgi’s widow, Umadevi, said: “It is almost 3 months now and the justice is not done for my family. I have faith in government and investigating
Sep 15: Karnataka CM announces five lakhs as a reward to those who can provide clues related to the murder. Sep 17: CID suspects a link between the murders of rationalists Govind Pansare and Kalburgi; police officials claim they are close to nabbing the alleged mastermind Rudra Patil. Sep 22: Police question Sanatan Sanstha activist Samir Gaikwadwho was arrested over the murder of Govind Pansare. Sep 23: Ram Sene denies allegations, claims being targeted by leftists. Oct 18: Body found with bullet injuries in Belagavi resembles sketch of accused. Oct 30: Police draw a blank; suspect the unidentified body to be of Rudra Patil, the alleged mastermind.
Mr. Vijay Kalburgi, son of Dr MM Kalburgi
Nov 2: Body of the dead man identified; not Kalburgi’s killer.