Eminent writer and erudite scholar MM Kalburgi was shot dead in his own house at Dharwad, Karnataka when anonymous assailants attacked his house with guns in the mask of Kalburgi students. Two rounds of bullets were shot in Kalburgi forehead. Apart from Vachana literature, he was a rationale thinker propagating his research findings leading to various controversies with right-wing groups. Kalburgi worked as Vice Chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi.
Kalburgi has not only questioned the theory of Chenna Basavanna but also called Hinduism not a religion. He was the one among modern day litterateurs who condemned Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations or worship of rocks which had no backing in ancient texts.
All these resulted in strong opposition from his own group and community members although Kalburgi was awarded ‘Basava Shree’ by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in 2013. There was a professional rivalry between Kalburgi and senior writer Vrushabendra Swamy followers from Lingayat community. A special investigation team is formed on the orders of Chief Minister to probe the case.