Karnataka’s “Who Killed?” Campaign Gains Momentum, Demands Sweeping SIT Probe into Unsolved Murders
Bengaluru, Dec 10: Declaring that the struggle for justice for missing and murdered women is a fight for humanity itself, Dr. Nagalakshmi Choudhary, Chairperson of the Karnataka State Women’s Commission, today called for a widespread movement demanding a comprehensive Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into unresolved cases, particularly those around Dharmasthala.
“If one woman fights, it becomes a story. If all women fight, it becomes a revolution. Collecting 20,000 signatures is not enough. This revolution must begin in every college, university, neighbourhood, and alley. This is not just women’s fight; this is humanity’s fight,” Dr. Choudhary asserted. She was speaking at a public event here at Gandhi Bhavan organised by the ‘Kondavaru Yaaru?’ (Who Killed?) campaign, which featured cultural expressions, drumming, songs, and the release of a pamphlet.
“ಕೊಂದವರು ಯಾರು?” ಅಭಿಯಾನ ಚೇತರಿಸಿಕೆ: ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಥಳ ಪ್ರಕರಣಗಳ ಸಮಗ್ರ ತನಿಖೆಗೆ ಕೂಗು
A Personal Journey to Advocacy
Sharing her personal trajectory, Dr. Choudhary recounted, “I was a doctor, then a teacher, and even won a best teacher award. But after facing humiliation from various quarters, I resigned and came to Bangalore from Kalaburagi. From there, I entered politics and later became the Women’s Commission Chairperson.” She emphasized that significant movements often begin with personal indignity. “Our story may seem small. But everything begins from a place of insult.”
Addressing the core issue, she stated, “No matter the hardship, insult, challenge, or ridicule they face, girls must not lose heart. The slogan for any struggle plays a huge role. The two words ‘Kondavaru Yaaru?’ embody the cry for justice for the missing, the voice of all those lives.”
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Challenges in Seeking Systemic Accountability
Dr. Choudhary expressed frustration with procedural delays. “When the SIT investigation strayed, we had to write to the government again. We did not write seeking investigation into the case of [a specific individual]; we asked for an SIT for the hundreds of children who have gone missing over 20 years. A genuine investigation into missing girls must happen.” She also lamented the politicization of her advocacy. “When I wrote the letter, I was branded a leftist. This is how poison is sown among people.”
Rejecting attempts to communalize crimes against women, she posed pointed questions: “Aren’t the girls who are killed, missing, or raped also Hindu girls? A girl has no caste, religion, or creed. The girl herself is the caste, religion, everything. In which religion is violence against women not happening? Does your religion not have incidents of rape, cruelty, and dowry harassment against girls?”
Solidarity from Activists and Artists
The event saw strong support from other activists. Mamata Yajaman of the ‘Navedu Nilladiddare’ organization stated, “Women’s rights are human rights. My signature is my voice. Every signature has value. Our collective demand is for a comprehensive SIT investigation. The government must order an SIT to conduct a thorough probe into the atrocities committed against girls over the past 20 years.”
Activist Gouramma detailed the signature campaign’s success: “Justice remains in Karnataka—with that hope, we began the signature drive on Karnataka Rajyotsava. As a result of pressure for an SIT probe, one has been formed. We collected signatures to be a voice for those in pain.” She revealed that 20,000 signatures were gathered in just ten days, with more men signing than women, including government employees and police personnel. The signatures were submitted to the government through Dr. Nagalakshmi.
Poet and activist Kavitha Lankesh highlighted the persistent struggle. “It has been 78 years since Independence, yet we are still in a situation where we have to talk about atrocities against women,” she said. Citing cases like those of actress Shruti Hariharan and her own sister, journalist Gauri Lankesh, she noted how women speaking up are often politically maligned. “Nagalakshmi’s contribution for women’s justice is crucial. All this serves as inspiration for women to raise their voices. Let us stand for women’s struggle beyond caste and religion—with Soujanya, Aseefa, Fatima. I will always be with you.”
The Movement and its Demands
The ‘Kondavaru Yaaru?’ campaign, launched in August, is a collective of women’s organizations and individuals. Its central demand is for the newly formed SIT to conduct a sweeping investigation into all unresolved cases of disappearances, unnatural deaths, rapes, and murders of women in and around Dharmasthala over past decades. The movement aims to expose systemic failures and stand with aggrieved families.
Author Champavati H.S. introduced a pamphlet released at the event, describing it as built on a feminist foundation. “It contains a history of atrocities, chapters on microfinance and religious-political angles, details on the SIT formation, media’s role, and the birth of this movement,” she said.
The event also featured a play by writer-performer Du. Saraswati and testimonies from volunteers from across Karnataka who collected signatures. The program was chaired by writer V. Gayathri.
Key Quotes
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Dr. Nagalakshmi Choudhary: “If one woman fights, it becomes a story. If all women fight, it becomes a revolution… This is not just women’s fight; this is humanity’s fight.”
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Dr. Nagalakshmi Choudhary: “A girl has no caste, religion, or creed. The girl herself is the caste, religion, everything.”
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Kavitha Lankesh: “It has been 78 years since Independence, yet we are still in a situation where we have to talk about atrocities against women.”
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Mamata Yajaman: “Women’s rights are human rights. My signature is my voice.”
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Gouramma (Activist): “We collected signatures to be a voice for those in pain.”
