Two men accused of being involved in the high-profile murder of journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh received a hero’s welcome in Vijayapura after being granted bail by a special court in Bengaluru. Parashuram Waghmore and Manohar Yadave, who had spent six years in jail, were granted bail on October 9 and were formally released from Parappana Agrahara prison on October 11. Their release was celebrated by local pro-Hindu supporters, who greeted them with garlands, orange shawls, and loud chants of victory, symbolizing their support and belief in the innocence of the two men.
Upon arriving in their hometown of Vijayapura, Waghmore and Yadave first paid respects to a statue of the revered Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji, which they garlanded as part of their ceremonial welcome. They then proceeded to the Kalika temple to offer prayers, further solidifying their symbolic connection to the pro-Hindu sentiments of the crowd gathered to welcome them back.
Pro-Hindu groups, who had been advocating for their release, claimed that the two men had been wrongfully imprisoned and unfairly targeted due to their affiliations with pro-Hindu ideologies. A local leader, speaking to the media, expressed his outrage at their lengthy imprisonment, saying, "On this auspicious day of Vijayadasami, we celebrate the release of Parashuram Waghmore and Manohar Yadave, who were falsely accused and imprisoned for six years in connection with the murder of Gauri Lankesh. These men were not the real culprits. Their only crime was being associated with pro-Hindu ideologies. Their families have suffered immensely because of this injustice, and the true perpetrators remain at large."
The leader’s words highlighted the deep-seated ideological divide that continues to play out in India, where cases involving politically sensitive issues often become flashpoints for larger conflicts between different societal factions. Waghmore and Yadave were just two of several people accused in the murder case, including Amol Kale, Rajesh D Bangera, Vasudev Suryawanshi, Rushikesh Devadekar, Ganesh Miskin, and Amith Ramachandra Baddi, who were all granted bail on the same day.
The murder of Gauri Lankesh, a prominent journalist and fierce critic of right-wing extremism and Hindutva ideology, shook the nation. She was shot dead outside her residence in Bengaluru on the evening of September 5, 2017, by assailants who arrived on motorcycles. Lankesh’s assassination sparked widespread outrage across India, with protests and marches organized in major cities, demanding justice for the slain journalist.
Lankesh had been known for her outspoken views, particularly her criticism of Hindu nationalist movements and her advocacy for marginalized communities. Her death was seen as part of a disturbing trend of violence and intimidation against journalists, intellectuals, and activists who spoke out against majoritarianism in India.
Following her murder, investigations pointed to the involvement of an organized right-wing extremist group, and several individuals were arrested in connection with the case. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) responsible for the case had claimed that Lankesh’s murder was meticulously planned, with the accused belonging to a larger network. However, the granting of bail to key accused individuals like Waghmore and Yadave has reignited concerns about the slow pace of justice in high-profile cases and the potential for political influence in judicial proceedings.
In December 2023, the Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, took steps to expedite the case by setting up a special court aimed at fast-tracking the trial of those accused in the murder. The decision was seen as a response to growing public pressure and frustration over the lack of progress in the case. Despite this, the release of the accused on bail has raised questions about the ability of the judiciary to deliver justice in a timely and impartial manner.
The case also sheds light on the broader ideological and political tensions that continue to influence India’s public discourse. For many pro-Hindu supporters, the imprisonment of Waghmore and Yadave was seen as an attack on their beliefs and values, leading to their celebratory welcome upon release. For others, Lankesh’s murder remains a symbol of the growing dangers faced by those who challenge powerful political narratives and ideologies in the country.
As the trial continues, the release of Waghmore and Yadave has added another layer of complexity to the already contentious case, with the families of the accused and their supporters insisting on their innocence, while advocates for justice in Lankesh’s case demand accountability for her killers. The tension between these opposing forces reflects the larger struggle within India over freedom of expression, the protection of dissenting voices, and the fight against violence rooted in ideological extremism.
The murder of Gauri Lankesh continues to resonate across India as a reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to speak out in an increasingly polarized society. As the judicial process unfolds, the country remains divided over whether justice will truly be served in her case, and whether the release of the accused men on bail marks a step toward closure or a deeper entrenchment of ideological conflicts.
