AMN /
The Karnataka government has decided to recommend CBI probe into the murder of Kannada scholar Dr.M M Kalburgi. The state Law minister T B Jayachandra told media persons in Bengaluru that the cabinet approved CBI probe following demands from different quarters.
The minister also said that the state CID will inquire the murder case till the CBI takes it over.
An outspoken rationalist scholar and professor who had drawn the ire of religious groups for denouncing superstition and idol worship was shot dead by two unidentified assailants at his home in Dharward in Karnataka.
M.M. Kalburgi, who was 77 years old, was killed when he was visited by two young men at his residence in the small town of Dharward early on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile Kalburgi was buried in Dharwad today with all state honours. A large crowd comprising writers, seers, students gathered to witness the last rites in the Karnataka university campus. During the cremation, the crowd shouted slogans demanding that culprits be apprehended soon.
The Kannada and Culture minister Umashree who took part in the ceremony, assured the people that Government will act against the perpetrators of crime. The city police Commissioner Ravindra Prasad who retires today, informed that investigation team has collected all evidences and the crime seems to be the handiwork of a professional killer.
Mr.Kalburgi, the veteran writer and former Vice Chancellor of Hampi University was shot dead yesterday morning at his home in Dharward by two unidentified persons.
Siddaramaiah had earlier said, “We have decided to hand over the case to CID…This incident should not have happened. It is highly condemnable.
“Whoever is behind this, we will catch them and punish according to law,” said the Chief Minister, who visited Dharwad to pay last respects to Kalburgi yesterday.
Home Minister K J George said, “It will be investigated from all angles.”
As the murder shook the Kannada literary world, Dharwad saw hundreds of admirers, students and citizens pay their last 
respect to Kalburgi before his body was taken in a procession, with many litterateurs and religious and political leaders paying homage.
The body was laid to rest with state honours in Dharwad as per the custom of the Lingayat community. The murder of Kalburgi has prompted the state police to provide security to some noted litterateurs, including Jnanpeeth award winner Girish Karnad and S L Byrappa, who have often faced the anger of some groups for their views on different issues.
Meanwhile, a Bajrang Dal local activist was today arrested by Bantwal police in Dakshina Kannada district for allegedly posting remarks on Twitter threatening writer K S Bhagwan for his ‘derogatory’ remarks on the Bhagavad Gita.
Bajrang Dal co-convener Bhuvith Shetty was arrested after a case was registered against him, police said. Bhagwan had drawn the wrath of right-wing activists after he allegedly disparaged the Bhagawad Gita while speaking at a programme in Mysuru in February this year.
The Mysuru police had strengthened security outside the residence of Bhagwan in Kuvempunagar. Shetty’s tweet targeting Bhagwan for making “fun” of Hinduism had gone viral after it was circulated through Whatsapp.
Shetty later deleted the post but screen shots of the tweet had already been circulated. Superintendent of Police S D Sharanappa said a suo motu case had been registered under section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and section 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC.
Kalburgi was an associate of rationalist Govind Pansare of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, who also fell victim in similar circumstances in February, and had drawn the ire of some right-wing Hindu outfits like VHP and Bajrang Dal with his remarks about idol worship by Hindus.
He had often spoken against superstitions and courted controversies with his outspoken stand.