Sri Ram Sene (SRS) president Pramod Muthalik courted controversy on Sunday by comparing the murder of slain journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh to a dog's death.
Addressing a gathering in Bengaluru on Sunday, Muthalik lambasted critics and said no one questioned the murder of four journalists in both Maharashtra and Karnataka, which took place when the Congress was ruling both states.
"No one questioned the Congress government's failure. Instead, they are asking why is Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi silent and not speaking on Gauri Lankesh's death. Many wanted PM Modi to react after Gauri Lankesh's death. Why should Modi react if some dog dies in Karnataka?" Muthalik declared.
Further, Muthalik once again clarified that Parashuram Waghmore, who is the main accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case, was not associated with SRS.
Earlier, a photograph of Waghmore posing with Muthalik had surfaced, causing massive flak.
"Sri Ram Sene has no connection with Parashuram. I don't know what has he said before the special investigation team (SIT). There are so many people who click photos with me; just by clicking photos, someone will not become a SRS worker," Muthalik told reporters.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said the charge-sheet in the Gauri Lankesh case will be filed once the probe in the murder case is completed.
"I do not want to reveal anything as the investigation is going on—any statements of mine shouldn't affect the investigation. Once the probe is complete, charge-sheet will be filed and further process of law will take place," Parameshwara told reporters in Bengaluru.
On June 12, the SIT arrested Waghmore, who is suspected to have killed Lankesh, in Karnataka's Sindhagi city. Lankesh was shot dead outside her Bengaluru residence on September 5, 2017.
Furthermore, five persons—K.T. Naveen Kumar alias Hotte Manja, Amol Kale, Manohar Edve, Sujeeth Kumar alias Praveen and Amit Degvekar—were arrested in connection with the case.