# Gauri Lankesh

> Indian Kannada-language journalist-activist (1962-2017)

**Wikidata**: [Q38711433](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38711433)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauri_Lankesh)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gauri-lankesh

## Summary
Gauri Lankesh was a prominent Indian journalist, activist, and editor who worked primarily in the Kannada language. Born on January 29, 1962, she was a vocal advocate for social justice and secularism, criticizing right-wing extremism in India. Her murder in 2017 drew international condemnation and highlighted the risks faced by journalists in the country.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 29, 1962  
- **Nationality**: Indian  
- **Known for**: Journalism, activism against right-wing extremism, and advocacy for social justice  
- **Field(s)**: Journalism, political activism  

## Contributions
Gauri Lankesh founded and edited *Lankesh Patrike*, a Kannada-language weekly tabloid known for its fearless reporting on political and social issues. She also wrote for other publications, using her platform to challenge oppressive ideologies and promote progressive values. Her work included investigations into corruption, caste discrimination, and religious fundamentalism. In recognition of her courage, she posthumously received the **Anna Politkovskaya Award** (year not specified), which honors women who defend human rights at great personal risk.

## FAQs
- **When was Gauri Lankesh born and died?**  
  She was born on January 29, 1962, and assassinated on September 5, 2017, outside her home in Bengaluru, India.  
- **What was her most notable work?**  
  She edited *Lankesh Patrike*, a influential Kannada weekly that addressed controversial topics such as caste inequality and political corruption.  
- **Why was she awarded the Anna Politkovskaya Award?**  
  The award recognized her fearless journalism and activism in the face of threats, particularly her critiques of right-wing groups in India.  
- **What caused her death?**  
  She was shot dead by unknown assailants, a crime that remains unsolved but is widely linked to her outspoken criticism of extremist ideologies.  

## Why They Matter
Gauri Lankesh’s journalism and activism played a critical role in India’s public discourse, challenging oppressive systems and amplifying marginalized voices. Her murder became a rallying point for advocates of press freedom and secularism, underscoring the dangers faced by those who confront power structures. Without her work, critical conversations about caste, religion, and political violence in India would have lost a key voice, and the resolve of fellow journalists and activists might have been diminished.

## Notable For
- Posthumous recipient of the **Anna Politkovskaya Award** for defending human rights.  
- Founder and editor of *Lankesh Patrike*, a platform for fearless investigative journalism in Kannada.  
- Vocal critic of right-wing extremism, caste discrimination, and political corruption in India.  
- Symbol of resistance against silencing dissent, with her death sparking global solidarity campaigns.  

## Body
### Early Life and Career  
Gauri Lankesh was born on January 29, 1962, in India. She began her career in journalism, eventually taking over as editor of *Lankesh Patrike*, a weekly tabloid founded by her father, P. Lankesh. Under her leadership, the publication became renowned for its bold reporting on sensitive issues such as caste-based violence, political graft, and the rise of Hindu nationalism.

### Activism and Advocacy  
Lankesh was a staunch advocate for secularism and social justice. She actively campaigned against right-wing groups, including the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), criticizing their ideologies as divisive and authoritarian. Her activism extended to supporting marginalized communities, including Dalits and religious minorities, through public speeches and written work.

### Murder and Legacy  
On September 5, 2017, Lankesh was assassinated outside her home in Bengaluru. Her death was condemned internationally by organizations such as Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists. While no one has been convicted in her case, investigators linked the murder to her critiques of extremist groups. Her legacy endures through the **Gauri Lankesh Award**, established to honor journalists who uphold truth in the face of adversity, and through ongoing campaigns for press freedom in India.

### Impact on Journalism  
Lankesh’s journalism exemplified the power of regional-language media to shape public opinion. By focusing on local issues in Kannada, she reached audiences often overlooked by national outlets. Her refusal to self-censor inspired a generation of reporters, particularly women, to pursue investigative work despite rising threats against the press in India.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-senior-journalist-gauri-lankesh-shot-dead-at-her-bengaluru-home-399964)
2. [Source](https://www.unesco.org/en/safety-journalists/observatory/5095280e-406c-48fd-8f7f-ec081d494814)
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. [Source](http://www.ibtimes.co.in/who-gauri-lankesh-complete-profile-fearless-firebrand-journalist-741021)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki//Q461164)
7. [Source](http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/senior-journalist-gauri-lankesh-shot-dead-in-bengaluru/articleshow/60381538.cms)