Hemant Karkare, who was gunned down in a terrorist attack in Mumbai, and his team had been successful in tapping the major attack plans unleashed by saffron terror in the country. Even today, one cannot be sure if they died a death in an attack or were led into a conspiracy, so that their investigations could be aborted. And investigation of journalist Gauri Lankesh’s murder is also taking the same route. The investigation is partially complete and the main accused has been arrested. His statement as to what prompted him to commit this murder, has been widely reported in the media. Parashuram Waghmore or anyone else involved in this murder, do not possess any deep love for Hindu dharma nor do they love their motherland beyond their reasoning, as they claim. Their main agenda is to disturb the peace in the country. Hence, they were also caught hoisting Pakistan flag in Sindagi, and were handed over to the police after being caught red handed. They only wanted to drive a wedge between Hindus and Muslims. Though on the surface Gauri’s murder seems to be an act of pride to save Hindu dharma, the accused do not possess any great knowledge about the dharma they are claiming to defend. He does not even have any personal enmity towards Gauri. This person has a history of rowdy activity and he was given the ‘supari’ of Gauri’s murder after feeding him enough hate towards the slain journalist. And the hate, he was made to believe, is his love for the religion. Waghmore has been used as a tool in this crime. This murder has links with Maharashtra. This aspect is now almost proven. Gauri’s murder has revealed a lot of ugly truths about saffron terror in the country.

If this crime is followed closely, there are chances that one might reach the root of other such murders of Prof Kalburgi, Dabholkar, Pansare and others. There could be many supari killers, but their boss or the organization that engages their services seems to be only one. Kalaburgi and Gauri had argued great deal about Lingayat dharma having to stand independent of Hinduism/Hindutva because of its unique genesis. Kalaburgi through his research work had proved beyond doubt that Lingayat dharma stood strongly apart from Vaidika/Brahminical dharma. His work showed the uniqueness of Lingayat dharma dharma to the followers of Basavanna. When the movement started, insisting Lingayat dharma be separated from Hindu dharma, Gauri had contributed greatly to it through her speeches, involvement and sharing of thoughts. Saffron forces and Hindutva brigade were shaken by the support this thought had evoked across the state. Chances of Lingayat dharma dominating the RSS discourse were very high. The same ideology that finished the proponent of Lingayat dharma, social reformer Basavanna, seem to have worked against Kalaburgi and Gauri. HIndutva will lose its relevance if Lingayat dharma is allowed to march ahead, independent of all its shackles and institutions.

Hence those thinkers who supported a separate dharma, were done to death to scare the others. If the investigation of Gauri’s death is intensified, this may lead to tangible clues into saffron terror camps across Maharashtra. Pramod Muthalik of Sri Ram Sene has lost his semblance, ever since the details and name of the accused persons behind Gauri’s killings were announced. He has drawn parallels to this case and death of a dog, equating one to another. His talks lack basic decency and culture. He had feigned ignorance when Jambigi and others were held. Now that the pictures of Waghmore posing with Muthalik have made way into media houses, Muthalik seems to be singing a different tune. He has not been arrested yet. He and his organization has been banned in Goa. Why is Karnataka unable to show that gumption? Which are those hands that are protecting Muthalik and stopping government machinery from discharging its duty? The secular leaders have to answer these questions now without postponing them any further.



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Mumbai, Nov 21: Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat on Thursday said his party leaders will follow Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in any direction he goes post-assembly poll results and decisions taken by him will be acceptable to them.

He asserted the party will solidly back Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, as it trusts his leadership, comments coming two days ahead of the state assembly poll results.

Asked what if Shinde goes with rival NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar to become the chief minister for a second time, Shirsat said, "We are committed to (follow) whatever Eknath Shinde decides. We will be solidly with him. We trust him and it will always be there."

The MLA from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (West) was responding to the question asked on a TV channel.

Shirsat said Shinde, who took over as CM in June 2022 after revolting against the then leadership of the Shiv Sena, only goes in the "right direction" and this has been the experience of party leaders.

Shirsat was one of the Shiv Sena MLAs who sided with Shinde at the time of the revolt.

Asked about the comments of his ally, BJP leader Pravin Darekar said, "Shirsat's remarks do not reflect the official stance of the party. Eknath Shinde's party contested against Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP). Such an alliance with the MVA was inconceivable."

The BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena and NCP headed by deputy CM Ajit Pawar are members of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. On the other hand, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) consists of the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

Asked what if Shinde is not made the CM again if Mahayuti retains power, Shirsat said, "A decision on this will be taken only by Eknath Shinde. It's his right and we cannot even comment on it. Whatever decision Shinde takes will be acceptable to us."

Voting for the 288-member state assembly concluded on November 20 and results will be declared on November 23.