Over a week after the murder of noted Kannada progressive thinker and scholar MM Kalburgi, another rationalist free-thinker and writer KS Bhagwan on Wednesday received a letter threatening his life.
“I was not at home when the letter came this afternoon. My family received it. After reading the letter, written in English, the family informed the police… Currently, it is with the police,” he said.
Bhagwan had incurred the wrath of right-wing activists after he allegedly disparaged the Bhagawad Gita while speaking at a programme in Mysuru in February this year.
A Bajrang Dal local activist was arrested in Dakshina Kannada district a day after Kalburgi’s death on August 30 for allegedly posting remarks on Twitter threatening Bhagwan for his ‘derogatory’ remarks on the Bhagawad Gita.
Bhagwan’s family spoke to him about the contents of the letter which said that “three people we have finished, next is your turn; no amount of police protection will help. Your time is over, count the days.”
Stating that he is “not deterred” by such threats, Bhagwan said “it shows utter ignorance on the part of those who wrote the letter. They wouldn’t have even read a page of my writing. I write on the basis of my research. If they have objections about it, they can always oppose it in a civilised way.”
“This is not the first time I have received such threats; I’m not afraid,” he added.
Police here are now examining the letter and its origin.
“Yes, a letter threatening Bhagwan was received at his residence, we are investigating it,” IGP (Southern Range) B K Singh said.
The murder of Kalburgi had prompted the state police to increase the security provided to Bhagwan. They had also extended security to other noted litterateurs, including Jnanpeeth award winner Girish Karnad and S L Byrappa.
