At least 10 writers and rationalists in Karnataka are meeting Home Minister G Parameshwara after receiving an anonymous letter that threatened to kill them over issues such as criticism of ISRO scientists who visited the Tirupati Venkatachalapathy temple ahead of Chandrayaan-3. “There will be punishment for this evil act,” read the two-page letter written with a ball pen. The August 9 letter came to light when the writers approached the government. Among them are Prof K Marulasiddappa, Banjagere Jayaprakash, Dr Vasundhara Bhupathi, S G Siddaramaiah and Kum Veerabhadrappa. Parameshwara said the government had taken the issue seriously and asked the director-general of police to look into the matter. Marulasiddappa alleged it was the same gang that killed journalist Gauri Lankesh and rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. “Whenever we speak about communalism and superstitions, we receive such letters. This is the second letter after the Congress government came to power. We have got an appointment to meet the home minister and will demand action,” he added. S G Siddaramaiah said, “We are not against Hindus, Muslims or any religion. We are only in favour of the Constitution and rationality. Our families fear for our safety whenever we step out of home. Threats continue to this day, even after the killings of Dabholkar and Gauri Lankesh. Not just us, but everyone knows who is behind these letters.”
