Hubballi: Renowned scholar and Kannada researcher Dr Malleshappa M. Kalburgi (77) was shot dead by two unidentified men at his residence in Kalyan Nagar of Dharwad on Sunday morning.
The police suspect Hindu fundamentalists behind the attack several Hindu organisations had launched state-wide protests last year over his remarks on idol worship and superstition. The killing of a Kannada researcher sent shockwaves across the state, particularly in Dharwad town, which is known as the literary and cultural hub.
Dr Kalburgi, the former Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University in Hampi, was declared brought dead at the district hospital. He is survived by wife, son and three daughters.
Two unidentified men arrived on a motorbike near his house around 8.30 am. One of them knocked on the door, while the other stood outside. As Dr Kalburgi was busy talking to someone over the phone, his wife Umadevi opened the door. But the assailant insisted that he wanted to meet her husband.
She informed Dr Kalburgi about the visitor and went into the kitchen. As Dr Kalburgi reached near the door, the assailant fired two rounds at Dr Kalburgi’s forehead from a pointblank range and fled from the spot along with the other man. Dr Kalburgi was rushed to a private hospital and from there to the district hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
“Several people visited our house regularly to discuss various literary works with my husband. The youngster at the door in the morning could be around 25-30 years old and spoke to me in Kannada. I returned to the kitchen thinking that he had come to discuss some Kannada research works, when I heard a loud noise. I rushed and saw my husband lying in a pool of blood,” said Umadevi, wracked by sobs.
The writer was known for his secular credentials. Controversy erupted after Dr Kalburgi made some remarks on the Hindu idols, while taking part in a conference in Bengaluru last year. The police had provided security for his house for six months after outrage from Hindu organisations. But the police withdrew the security just two months ago after he refused further protection. On Sunday morning, he was resting in his house after a cataract operation four days ago when he was shot dead.
