Activists urge K’tka Govt to probe Hindutva group's role in Kalburgi, Gauri Lankesh murders

Activists in Karnataka are intensifying their demands for a comprehensive investigation into the Hindutva extremist organization Sanatan Sanstha, implicated in several high-profile murders, following a critical petition filed by the family of CPI leader Govind Pansare with the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), The News Minute reported.

The Bombay High Court is set to review the case on July 12, potentially shedding light on the organization's alleged criminal activities.

The petition, submitted on June 27, urges an investigation into Sanatan Sanstha, headquartered in Ponda, Goa. It contends that individuals connected to the group were involved in a series of murders, starting with rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in 2013, followed by Pansare, academic MM Kalburgi, and journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh. The petition also links the group to other crimes, including the 2018 Nalasopara arms seizure case.

Key evidence presented in the petition includes statements from accused individuals and other documents indicating that many suspects in these murders had ties with Sanatan Sanstha. Of the 12 people accused of murdering Pansare in 2015, seven were also named in the chargesheet for Lankesh’s murder, and four were implicated in both Lankesh’s and Dabholkar’s murders.

The prime accused in Lankesh’s murder, Amol Kale, along with others, were found to be influenced by Sanstha’s literature, notably the book ‘Kshatra Dharma Sadhana,’ authored by the group’s founder, Jayant Athavale.

The petition highlights that the weapons used in these murders were interlinked, further connecting the crimes. The weapon used to kill Dabholkar was also used in Pansare’s murder, and another weapon linked Pansare’s murder to those of Kalburgi and Lankesh.

Activists argue that despite clear evidence, Sanatan Sanstha has been treated leniently. They criticize the differential application of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), noting that in other cases, the law was invoked with far less evidence. The state government's reluctance to ban the organization, despite previous recommendations and demands from various states, has also been a point of contention.

Bengaluru-based activist Dr. Vasu argues that the Congress government, now in power in Karnataka, must uphold its constitutional commitment by initiating a thorough investigation into Sanatan Sanstha. The investigation should aim not only to hold the perpetrators accountable but also to address the ideological indoctrination that allegedly fuels such extremist activities.

Shivasundar, another activist from Bengaluru, emphasizes the importance of investigating Sanatan Sanstha to expose its organizational collusion and force public discourse on the activities of extremist groups.

Drawing parallels with past investigations into Hindutva-related terrorism, such as the Samjhauta Express and Malegaon blasts, he underscores that such scrutiny previously led to significant political and social consequences.

The petitioners also highlight the financial aspect, questioning how full-time Sanstha members could fund their extensive activities without visible sources of income. This raises concerns about the broader support network potentially backing these extremist actions.

The call for investigation gains urgency as it aims to achieve a broader societal impact. An investigation could not only legally challenge the Sanstha but also morally undermine its standing, akin to the fallout for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

Pansare’s family asserts that multiple investigating agencies, including the CBI and state authorities, are aware of Sanatan Sanstha’s role in these crimes but have failed to act decisively. They demand a focused investigation into the group’s leadership, portraying it as an organized terrorist network operating under the guidance of Jayant Athavale and Virendra Marathe.