‘Adopted Sons’ Jignesh Mevani & Kanhaiya Kumar Mourn Gauri Lankesh

It is a “black day for democracy”, wrote Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani on Facebook.

File image of Gauri Lankesh with her “adopted sons” Kanhaiya Kumar (left) and Jignesh Mevani (right).

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Altered by The Quint)

Gauri Lankesh, a journalist and activist, was killed in cold blood on the night of 5 September by unknown assailants outside her residence in West Bengaluru’s Rajarajeshwari Nagar.

Her death has sent shockwaves across the country with many condemning the heinous crime. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah even called the murder an “assassination of democracy”.

Gauri’s death is mourned by her “adopted” children Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani and JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar.

Also Read: Eliminated at Point Blank: Gauri Lankesh, a Journalist of Courage

‘She Paid the Price for Being Fearless’

Mevani, in a Facebook post, called it a “black day for Indian democracy” and commented how the country has become “unbearable”.

He said that Lankesh “paid the price for being fearless” how it is the “murder of democracy and rationality.”

While expressing shock over her death, he recalled the time he last met her and how Lankesh cared for her “children”.

I had such a close rapport with her. Last time when I visited her she bought a T-shirt for me and a packet of sweets, one of which I shared with Mohit Pandey and Shehla (Rashid) at JNU. I can’t believe this...Every time me and Kanhaiya would go to Bangalore she would strictly instruct the organisers that we would stay only and only at her place. She would come all the way from her place to pick me up even if I land at midnight. She would put us in touch with all the like-minded forces in Karnataka. She would always tell people that Jignesh is my good son and Kanhaiya is my bad son. She would love both of us equally...I can’t believe that I won’t be able to see her again. (sic).

Jignesh’s Facebook post

‘She Was Like a Mother to Me’

Former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar shared a picture of him and Gauri on Twitter saying he is “deeply shocked and saddened at the cowardly murder”.

Also Read: Gauri Lankesh, the Voice of Dissent, Stood for Free Speech