Earlier this week, senior journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her residence in Bangalore. The killing of the feisty, left-leaning journalist has generated heated debate across the country about drowning sane voices.

Condemning the killing of senior journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, Oscar-winner AR Rahman has spoken about it and expressed deep sadness over her brutal murder. He says the current scenario does not represent the India that he knows.
This is not my India. I want India to be progressive and kind.
The musical sensation expressed his anguish over the killing and said that he doesn’t identify with such brutality.
I am so sad about this. These kinds of things don’t happen in India.
However soon after he made this comment, he was bombarded with comments asking him to leave the country. He has also been called “unpatriotic” for simply voicing his opinion.

The trolls had this to say:
Now AR Rahman will be next target for the hatred filled bhakths
— RM (@theni_payan) September 8, 2017
We are ashamed of u rahman u cud not become loyal to ur religion.
— Ayush Jha (@abhishekajha297) September 8, 2017
He do hav Spain citizenship not even Indian but want to teach us right n wrong. Mr Rehman wherever u r today is due to India only..shame
— Anu Tyagi (@AnuParashar) September 8, 2017
If any one not feeling good here, don’t like India can go to Pakistan or syria
— Umesh Rajbhar (@UmeshRajbhar123) September 8, 2017
Who need his advice…
— nishant singhal (@nishant_btp) September 8, 2017
This is not the first time that Rahman has faced negativity from online trolls for simply voicing his opinion.