Neighbouring Bangladesh has witnessed the murder of four young secular bloggers this year. In Syria, a scholar called Khaled al-Assad has been put to death by ISIS fanatics. Maharashtra was shaken by the murder of Dr Narendra Dabholkar, a rationalist of repute, nearly two years ago. He was instrumental in getting a law against black magic and practices related to blind faith passed in Maharashtra. Govind Pansare, another well-respected activist, was killed just a year ago. Pansare was working on many issues, his activism against blind faith being just one of them. He is also the author of a well-known tract on Maharashtra’s revered king Shivaji.
On the back of the murders of those two rationalists comes the murder of Professor MM Kalburgi on 30 August 2015 at his home in Dharwad, Karnataka. Professor Kalburgi was an accomplished man, the former Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University in Hampi, a writer of over 100 books and recipient of the National and Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award for his work. The learned professor had done a deep study of the Veerashaiva tradition of Basavanna, among others. Controversies followed him and so did threats from conservative forces. The first one came after the publication of a Marga treatise on Kannada folklore that included articles on Veerashaiva and Basavanna. Due to the death threats issued to him time and again, he was given police protection; this was withdrawn on his request recently. He supported UR Ananthamurthy on the issue of stopping idol worship. When he invited VHP leaders and the pontiff of a math, Vishwesha Teertha Swami, for a public debate, another controversy followed. His support for Karnataka’s Prevention of Superstitious Practices bill invited the anger of Bajrang Dal type of organisations and he had to face protests where his effigy was burnt.
Bu hikaye Open dergisinin September 14, 2015 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Open dergisinin September 14, 2015 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Can Therapy Break The Taboo Of Hypersexuality?
Can therapy break the taboo of hypersexuality?
Afghanistan: Waiting For A New Life
Ravaged by war, terror and bad politics, Afghanistan is waiting for a new life after the withdrawal of American troops.
Grand Opening Of Dance Bars, Are The Girls Excited?
Following a Supreme Court order, Mumbais dance bars are preparing for a grand opening. Are the girls equally excited?
Discovery Of Colonial India
Lord Hastings 1814 journey from Calcutta to Punjab with painter Sita Ram is a discovery of Colonial India through lives mundane and magical.
Imtiaz Ali: Auteur In Love
Imtiaz Ali's new film too is a celebration of desire and longing. The filmmaker in conversation with Divya Unny.
Athleisure, A Lifestyle Trend Of This Decade
As the defining lifestyle trend of this decade, athleisure has changed the way we dress, appear, move and feel.
Hate Wave In Communal India
Provocative clerics, frenzied mobs and the widening fault lines of communal India.
Delhi Government: Getting Even With The Odd Chief Minister
A righteous Kejriwal makes the governance of Delhi all about one man’s whims and paranoia.
India’s Cricket Prodigies: Who Will Stay Like Tendulkar?
India’s cricket prodigies today are luckier than their predecessors, but who will stay the distance like Tendulkar?
Dating Apps: A Sexual Revolution
As the dating app sets up office in India, its first ever outside the US, Lhendup G Bhutia signs on to see what the fuss is all about. He comes out unwanted.