Renowned scholar and rationalist professor MM Kalburgi was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at his residence in Dharwad in north Karnataka on Sunday morning. 77-year-old Professor Kalburgi was shot at point-blank range when he opened the door to see some visitors. According to Dharwad Police Commissioner Ravindra Prasad, two men came on a two-wheeler and knocked at the door of his house and as it was opened, two shots were fired on his forehead and chest after which the assailants fled. He was rushed to the civil hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The police have constituted special teams to nab the culprits. Motive for his murder is not known.
Kalburgi, a former vice-Chancellor, was known for rationalist thinking and use to be critical of fundamental elements. He had won the Central and State Sahitya Academy awards, was a great researcher and worked on vachana literature. He had raised the hackles of rightwing outfits when he had made certain remarks about idol worship. CM Siddaramaiah expressed shock and anguish over the murder of Kalburgi. He said, “He was known for his outspoken views and was a progressive thinker. Government is serious in tracing the culprits and bringing them to book.”
