Following the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru on 5th September, her brother yesterday told media that she had been receiving threats from Naxalites for trying to convert Naxalites and bring them mainstream.
#WhoKilledGauri | She got letters because she was heading a govt nominated group to convert Naxalites& bring them into mainstream: Indrajeet
— Republic (@republic) September 6, 2017
But that was few hours too late. The narrative had been build that the BJP/RSS has been behind the murder because Lankesh frequently wrote against Hindutva and was a trenchant critic of the right wing politics. Pretty soon, left wing trolls started their attack on her brother because his statement didn’t fit into the agenda.
That brother was estranged and knew as much about her life in recent years, as the Taseer family in Pakistan knows about yours. https://t.co/aAQ9aXb4Lu
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) September 7, 2017
Sanjay Hegde, senior advocate at the Supreme Court who has also been an advocate-on-record for the Karnataka Government, also referred to Indrajit Lankesh as “useless relative”.
#GauriLankesh ‘s brother trotted out by Right-wing apologists, the same way Rohith Vemula’s father was. Useless relatives to define death
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) September 7, 2017
When someone questioned what does he mean by “useless relative”, he explained,
A father who never stayed with the family-Rohith
A brother who showed a pistol- Gauri
Useful relatives for Sanghi Spin on tragedies https://t.co/L9SUsnuwQp— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) September 7, 2017
He also got ridiculed for the same.
I mean, how would a father know more about the pain of losing a son than an out of work left wing nutjob. pic.twitter.com/5rFSVrCMzK
— Ram Prasad (@ramprasad_c) September 7, 2017
But then, Hegde wasn’t alone (obviously)!
Newslaundry journalist Akash Banerjee was also quick to point out that Gauri’s brother is trying to misdirect the “narrative”.
Casting aspersions on Gauri Lankesh’s brother because he refused to b part of their anti BJP RSS agenda? Wah re mere Libtardu @akashbanerjee pic.twitter.com/Jekuye0WrE
— अंकित जैन (@indiantweeter) September 7, 2017
Who also got called out, rightly so.
Gareebon ka ACP pradyumn ???? https://t.co/LTTrnHHmAA
— Maithun (@Being_Humor) September 7, 2017
Like how Shashi Tharoor tried to misdirect Sunanda murder investigation by saying she died due to diseases??
Investigate all the angles. https://t.co/zA0CnjKhAu
— Raju Das | ৰাজু দাস (@rajudasonline) September 7, 2017
But then perhaps it was acceptance of the fact that a narrative is being built.
This asshole agrees that they are directing the narrative on killing. https://t.co/VCjHVLjsF5
— Nattha (@theFirstHandle) September 7, 2017
And then abusive troll Swati Chaturvedi even made her brother a BJP member.
#GauriLakesh brother a Bjp member is trying to influence the probe & mis direct it. @CMofKarnataka should take note. https://t.co/58PasjmLAx
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) September 7, 2017
A claim which he has already denied.
But since Swati says it, it has to be the gospel truth.
This is the man whose statements about naxals attacking gouri were being swallowed like gospel truth. https://t.co/fjBEOMmHMx
— Dushyant (@atti_cus) September 7, 2017
What is shocking about the narrative that is brought forward is that all of these have decided who were the conspirators behind Gauri Lankesh’s murder and if anyone has any contrary opinion, like her own brother, he is painted as a BJP member already. And what if evidence points to other things, like, Gauri’s friend claiming she was investigating Karnataka politicians and industrialists for alleged corruption? Will they still blame the BJP/RSS or accept the truth?
What if the truth is far different than what is being perceived?
they printed some pamphlets against Gauri. Please look at all the angles, come to a conclusion & bring justice: Brother of #GauriLankesh pic.twitter.com/BrZY7n6qNJ
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2017
Why isn’t anyone rooting for a fair probe? Why jump the guns and go for trial by media to suit the narrative? It is really unfortunate that her murder is being used to score political brownie points instead of seeking justice for the slain journalist.
