Days after noted Kannada writer MM Kalburgi was murdered, another rationalist and free-thinker, KS Bhagwan, has received a threat letter that asks him to count his days.
"Don't relax thinking you are safe. Haavina Dvesha 12 years. 3 successful. Next You. Will never miss the target. No police security will save you when we come. We know how to do. Count your days," the threat letter read. The letter is now in the possession of police.
Bhagwan's family received the letter on Wednesday afternoon and informed the police soon after reading its content.
"I was not at home when the letter came this afternoon. My family received it. After reading the letter, written in English, the family informed the police... currently, it is with the police," Bhagwan told PTI on Wednesday.
The rationalist Kannada writer had enraged some Hindu outfits with his critical views on Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita at a programme in Mysuru in February this year.
On the day Kalburgi was shot dead at his residence in Dharwad, a tweet surfaced online threatening Bhagwan of consequences for his 'derogatory' remarks on the Bhagavad Gita. The tweet was from a local Bajrang Dal activist who was arrested in Dakshina Kannada district the very next day.
Bhagwan is, however, undeterred by such threatening remarks. "It shows utter ignorance on the part of those who wrote the letter. They wouldn't have even read a page of my writing. I write on the basis of my research. If they have objections about it, they can always oppose it in a civilised way," he said.
"This is not the first time I have received such threats; I'm not afraid," he added.
The Karnataka police confirmed the death threat and said an investigation has been initiated to find those behind it.
"Yes, a letter threatening Bhagwan was received at his residence, we are investigating it," BK Singh, IGP Southern Range, said.
Following Kalburgi's murder on 30 August, police had increased Bhagwan's security and provided security to other noted Kannada writers, including Girish Karnad and SL Byrappa.
Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is investigating Kalburgi's murder, but the state government has decided to hand over the case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
