Gauri Lankesh
Gauri Lankesh (Kannada: ಗೌರಿ ಲಂಕೇಶ್ Gauri Laṅkēś, 29 January 1962 – 5 September 2017) was an Indian journalist-turned-activist from Bangalore, Karnataka. She worked as an editor in Lankesh Patrike, a Kannada weekly started by her father P. Lankesh, and ran her own weekly called Gauri Lankesh Patrike. Lankesh was known for advocating freedom of the press. She had written about the wrongdoings of the Indian National Congress leader, D. K. Shivakumar, a close associate of the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, S. M. Krishna.[1]
Early life and education
[change | change source]Gauri Lankesh was born on 29 January 1962 in Bangalore, Karnataka. She was the daughter of well-known Kannada writer and journalist P. Lankesh. She studied journalism and later worked as a reporter in New Delhi and Bangalore. Gauri learned from her father's work and eventually followed his path in the media.
Career and views
[change | change source]After working in mainstream journalism, Gauri began her own weekly paper called Gauri Lankesh Patrike. In her writings, she often spoke against social injustice, corruption and the misuse of power. She supported secular values and was known for her strong opinions against caste discrimination and communal violence. She also supported freedom of speech and human rights.
Death
[change | change source]On September 5, 2017, Gauri was fatally shot by three unidentified gunmen as she arrives home in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore at night of 8. She was 55 years old. [2][3] At the time of her death, she is known for being a critic of right-wing Hindu extremism. [4]
Legacy
[change | change source]After her death, many people across India protested and demanded justice. Her killing led to national and international attention, with many calling it an attack on free speech. Several awards and events have been held in her memory to honor her work and courage as a journalist. [5] [6]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Jayanthi Madhukar (20 April 2014). "Gauri and Kavitha Lankesh—Tale of two sisters". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016.
- ↑ Rajiv Kalkod (5 September 2017). "Senior journalist Gauri Lankesh shot dead at her house". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017.
- ↑ "Senior journalist Gauri Lankesh shot dead at her Bengaluru home, kin demands CBI probe". India Today. 5 September 2017. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- ↑ "Gauri Lankesh: Indian journalist shot dead in Bangalore". BBC News. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ↑ "The killing of Gauri Lankesh". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ Bhat, Prajwal (5 September 2022). "Why Gauri Lankesh was assassinated: The story of an indoctrinated engineer". The News Minute. Retrieved 24 May 2025.