Keep 'Maoist sympathiser' Gauri Lankesh off rehab committee: BJP to Guv

The State BJP on Friday met Governor Vajubhai Vala seeking his intervention in keeping “Maoists  sympathisers” out of a government-appointed committee to oversee the implementation of rehabilitation policy for Maoists.

A memorandum submitted to the Governor at the Raj Bhavan by a delegation led by BJP leader K S Eshwarappa seeks the exclusion of Gauri Lankesh, journalist and a civil society member of the committee set up to oversee implementation of Surrender/Assimilation and Rehabilitation Policy for Left Wing Extremists, as she is a Maoist sympathiser.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, former minister C T Ravi, who was a part of the delegation that met the Governor said, while the State government had appointed Lankesh as a member of the State committee, there had been serious allegations against her and her associates of being in constant touch with Maoists and supporting them to expand their base.

He alleged that the Lankesh-led Shanthigaagi Naagarika Vedike (Civilian Forum for Peace) had been mentioned in the list of pro-Maoist organisations prepared by the State intelligence and anti-Maoist force in 2006-2007.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described the BJP leaders as having “jaundiced eyes” for opposing the  the government-appointed committee for overseeing Maoists’ surrender.

“Some members of the panel might have spoken to naxals in order to convince them to surrender. It does not mean that they are sympathisers. Speaking to naxals is necessary to bring them to the mainstream. It is not proper on their (BJP leader) part to complain to the governor. The BJP leaders have jaundiced eyes,” he told reporters on seeking his reaction to the BJP leaders lodging a complaint with the governor in this regard.

Home Minister K J George defended Lankesh being part of the panel and said the government wanted to bring naxals to the mainstream using the services of such persons. It is not proper to target anybody, he added.