Gauri Lankesh Murder Case: Accused Receives Grand Welcome From Pro-Hindu Groups In Karnataka

The two were taken to a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, where they offered garlands in a symbolic gesture, and later visited the Kalika temple to offer prayers.

Two men accused of murdering Gauri Lankesh received bail after six years in prison. They were warmly welcomed by pro-Hindu groups, who believed they were falsely imprisoned.

Source : X/ @ShrutiDhore

Two men accused of the murder of activist-journalist Gauri Lankesh received a grand welcome from pro-Hindu groups after being granted bail by a special court in Karnataka. The accused, Parashuram Waghmore and Manohar Yadave, spent six years in prison. A Bengaluru sessions court granted them bail on October 9 and were officially released from Parappana Agrahara prison on October 11.

Upon arriving in their hometown of Vijayapura, they were greeted by local pro-Hindu supporters with garlands, orange shawls, and celebratory chants. The two were taken to a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, where they offered garlands in a symbolic gesture, and later visited the Kalika temple to offer prayers.

He is the murderer of journalist Gauri Lankesh On getting bail, we are welcomed as if we have won the war of independence.

Similarly, the rapists of Bilkis were also welcomed with flower garlands. Those who do this are not Hindus but are a stigma on Sanatan culture and Hindu… pic.twitter.com/Y20tVAamuo

— Shruti Dhore (@ShrutiDhore) October 13, 2024

Supporters in Vijayapura claimed that Waghmore and Yadave were wrongfully imprisoned. Along with them, Amol Kale, Rajesh D Bangera, Vasudev Suryawanshi, Rushikesh Devadekar, Ganesh Miskin, and Amith Ramachandra Baddi were also granted bail on October 9, according to a report by LiveLaw.

Pro-Hindu Leader Says Culprits Yet To Be Found

While addressing the media, a prominent pro-Hindu leader said, "Today is Vijayadasami, a significant day for us. We welcomed Parashuram Waghmore and Manohar Yadve, who have been unfairly jailed for six years on charges related to the murder of Gauri Lankesh. The real culprits have yet to be found, but these men were targeted simply because they are pro-Hindu workers. Their families have suffered, and this injustice needs serious introspection".

Gauri Lankesh was a senior journalist. She was quite famous for her left-leaning views and vocal criticism of extreme Hindutva ideologies. Lankesh was shot dead outside her Bengaluru home by three motorcycle-borne men on September 5, 2017. Her murder shocked the nation and was widely condemned.

In December 2023, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered the establishment of a special court to fast-track the trial of those accused of Lankesh's murder.