The anger over the killing of Gauri Lankesh is evident on Twitter where a large number of users have started blocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal handle in protest against him following abusive trolls, including one who called the Kannada journalist-activist "a bitch" who deserved to die.

Nikhil Dadhich, who claims to be a garment manufacturer on his Twitter profile, posted a tweet shortly after the Tuesday night murder that used an abusive reference to the slain journalist. "Ek kuttiya kutte ki maut kya mari, saare pille ek sur mein bilbila rahe hain" (It took a bitch to die a dog's death, for all pups to howl in the same tune)," he said.

Dadhich's Twitter account is followed by many political leaders from the right-wing BJP including Modi, which prompted many to ask why he was following such people, and demanded an unfollowing and apology. Since Wednesday night however, #BlockNarendraModi appeared on the microblogging site and was the top trend when this story was written.

Most users, while blocking the PM, tagged one Dr Rakesh Parikh (@drrakeshparikh) who they said came up with the idea. Dr Parikh's bio on Twitter says he is a "Diabetologist, Clinical Researcher, Blogger, Social Activist. Ex-Politician - have been active in Anti Corruption movement and then founder member of AAP".

Sample some of the Twitter users who have now blocked Modi:

"Doing something I should have done a long time back. Thanks @drrakeshparikh #BlockNarendraModi"

Doing something I should have done a long time back. Thanks @drrakeshparikh #BlockNarendraModi pic.twitter.com/hOcCceVPnj 6 September 2017

"A Prime Minister who serves a third of the country and follows those indulging in filthy abuse of others is rubbish. #BlockNarendraModi"

A Prime Minister who serves a third of the country and follows those indulging in filthy abuse of others is rubbish. #BlockNarendraModi pic.twitter.com/eYkFo8sgI2 - Vidyut (@Vidyut) 6 September 2017

"I don't normally block people, but I'll make an exception. Not like he says anything of use to country. #BlockNarendraModi"

I don't normally block people, but I'll make an exception. Not like he says anything of use to country. #BlockNarendraModi pic.twitter.com/VKiIh4QWBj - Vidyut (@Vidyut) 6 September 2017

"#BlockNarendraModi Anyone who follows vile, vicious abusive trolls isnt & will never be my PM"

#BlockNarendraModiAnyone who follows vile, vicious abusive trolls isnt & will never be my PM pic.twitter.com/oUoz4l7dmH - SANDIPAN MITRA (@SANDIPANMITRA6) 6 September 2017

"I too can't follow someone who inspires filthy abusive trolls to threaten & harm dissent voices #BlockNarendraModi"

I too can't follow someone who inspires filthy abusive trolls to threaten & harm dissent voices #BlockNarendraModi pic.twitter.com/Lquj8Hih2N - Sahil Prasad (@laxmi407) 6 September 2017

"#BlockNarendraModi until he blocks hatred and the hate mongers, trolls and trouble makres, the cow vigilantes and the moral brigades"

#BlockNarendraModi until he blocks hatred and the hate mongers, trolls and trouble makres, the cow vigilantes and the moral brigades pic.twitter.com/bfpD3lru8f - #iStandWithFarmers (@suresh_ediga) 6 September 2017

"#BlockNarendraModi A Person Who Follows & Encourages Abusers, Hate Spewers & Bigots Who Celebrate Human Deaths Deserves to be Blocked"

#BlockNarendraModiA Person Who Follows & EncouragesAbusers, Hate Spewers & Bigots Who Celebrate Human Deaths Deserves to be Blocked pic.twitter.com/aPgJiSnbna - Geet Varun (@geetv79) 6 September 2017

"I am done : A step towards Swachh Twitter Abhiyan. #BlockNarendraModi"

I am done : A step towards Swachh Twitter Abhiyan. #BlockNarendraModi pic.twitter.com/qWqWB7OSdm - Sayed Tausif (@Tausif_Qazi) 6 September 2017

Some were scathing in their attack on the PM.

"I do. Feels pretty damn fantastic to go out of my way to block the creep. #BlockNarendraModi You should try it. It is fun."

I do. Feels pretty damn fantastic to go out of my way to block the creep. #BlockNarendraModi You should try it. It is fun. https://t.co/4l5pUJcYLD - Vidyut (@Vidyut) 6 September 2017

Of course, there were Modi supporters too who rejected the hashtag.

"#BlockNarendraModi is trending in twitter.. But we'll support u forever."

#BlockNarendraModi is trending in twitter.. But we'll support u forever. - neeraj dangwal (@iamsrkianeeraj) 7 September 2017

"Son : I want Money for Party

Father : No, You will not get

Son : I am gonna block you on Facebook ???? ????

Problem Solved #BlockNarendraModi"

Son : I want Money for Party Father : No, You will not getSon : I am gonna block you on Facebook ???? ????Problem Solved #BlockNarendraModi - Uski_Baat (@Kumar2868Kumar) 7 September 2017

Well, there were still others who had their own reasons against blocking Modi.

"What sort of crappy trend this #BlockNarendraModi?

I will do NO SUCH THING! ??

This handle is my window to world tourism."

What sort of crappy trend this #BlockNarendraModi?I will do NO SUCH THING! ??This handle is my window to world tourism. pic.twitter.com/1F8Fmke1Rf - Akash Banerjee (@akashbanerjee) 7 September 2017

And a final word even as the hashtag continues to trend:

"@narendramodi is the most blocked prime minister in the world. UNESCO certified, just a few minutes back ????????????"

#BlockNarendraModi

@narendramodi is the most blocked prime minister in the world. UNESCO certified, just a few minutes back ???????????? #BlockNarendraModi - Troll-a-Bhakt (@trollabhakt) 6 September 2017

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