Kalburgi was an associate of rationalist Govind Pansare of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, who also fell victim in similar circumstances in February, and had drawn the ire of some right-wing Hindu outfits such as VHP and Bajrang Dal with his remarks on idol worship by Hindus. He had often spoken against superstition and courted controversies with his outspoken stand.
At Dharwad, hundreds of admirers of Kalburgi paid their last respect to him on Monday. On Sunday, the attackers had knocked at <g data-gr-id="26">Kalburgi’s</g> house door claiming to be his students and as it was opened, they pumped bullets into his forehead and chest and fled. He died in a hospital. “Whoever is behind this, we will catch them and punish according to law,” said the Chief Minister, who visited Dharwad to pay his last respects to Kalburgi.
Asked if the sleuths have got any clues, Home Minister KJ George said the probe was being started. “It will be investigated from all angles,” he said. The Hubli-Dharwad police had announced a special team to probe the murder that has shaken the Kannada literary world. Kalburgi had raised the hackles of right-wing outfits when he made certain remarks about idol worship by Hindus that were considered “derogatory” and “blasphemous.”