Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s decision to abstain from the Tuesday’s Prathiroadha (resistance) rally held to seek justice for Gauri Lankesh, organised by the like-minded organisatons in Bengaluru has now sparked new controversy.
State cabinet ministers U T Khader, H M Revanna and others actively participated in the event. In his speech, U T Khader stated that Gauri was like his sister and that he will always stand for the cause she laid down her life for.
However, CM’s absence made way for several talks.
“She was one of the hardcore supporters of Siddaramaiah. She stood with the state government when it was facing crisis due to suicide of IAS officer D K Ravi. So the CM should have attended the programme and should have given stern warning to fascist forces,” said a leader.
Many feel that CM was facing a dilemma over the participation. “Right wing organisations are blaming the Siddaramaiah government for failing to protect intellectuals. So, if CM had attended the event he would have faced more embarrassment,” said sources in the state government.
Meanwhile, Indrajith Lankesh’s participation in the event drew flak. Many criticised his participation over his statement on possibility of Naxals shooting down Gauri.