Hitting out at Karnataka Chief Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad also asked why Gauri Lankesh was not provided security?

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday condemned the killing of Karnataka journalist Gauri Lankesh and hit-out at Congress Vice president Rahul Gandhi for his statement.

Lankesh (55), known for her anti-establishment voice with acrid anti-right wing views, was shot dead from a close range by unknown assailants at her residence here on Tuesday.

Speaking to media, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “We ask Karnataka Chief Minister was she (Gauri Lankesh) helping Naxals surrender with government’s consent and if so why was she not given security.”

Stating that there should be no politics over Lankesh’s murder, Prasad said, “We condemn all prejudice and malafide comments that are being made on the regrettable and unfortunate killing of Lankesh.”

Lashing out at the Congress leader, the minister said, “Even before the I of investigation could start, Rahul Gandhi publicly alleged that RSS and right wing ideology is responsible. Would like to ask Karnataka Chief Minister in light of the comment should we expect fair probe by SIT? Does the CM agree with the comment?”

In his comments, Rahul had said anybody who spoke against the ideology of the BJP and RSS was “pressured, beaten, attacked and even killed”.

“Condemning every murder correct but why my liberal friends maintained silence after killings of BJP-RSS workers in Kerala and Karnataka,” the minister asked.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy has announced Rs 10 lakh reward for any clue related to Lankesh’s killing.