Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra has called for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged “very big conspiracy” behind claims of multiple rapes, murders and burials in Dharmasthala over the past two decades. Vijayendra, along with Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka and other Bharatiya Janata Party legislators, defended the "Dharmasthala Chalo" rally, condemning what they called a “smear campaign” against the temple town.
Prior to the rally, the BJP leaders visited the Manjunatha temple to offer prayers and met with its custodian, Veerendra Heggade. Speaking to the media, Vijayendra stated that a thorough investigation by a central agency is a demand from devotees of Lord Manjunatha. He alleged that a great deal of false propaganda was spread during the probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the state government, hurting the sentiments of millions of devotees globally.
The BJP leader claimed that this is a major conspiracy against Dharmasthala. He pointed to statements made by Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who mentioned pressure from leftist groups for the investigation, and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who himself acknowledged a “big conspiracy” in the matter. Vijayendra expressed hope that the state government would quickly order a central probe to expose the truth.
On the other hand, Congress workers protested in Bengaluru against the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) workers, who are also demanding an NIA investigation. The protesters accused the BJP of creating a false narrative against the Congress-led government and confusing the public on the Dharmasthala issue.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed the BJP's "Dharmasthala Chalo" rally as a political stunt, stating that the opposition party would not gain any political advantage from it. He called the BJP's actions on the Dharmasthala issue "hypocrisy," and asserted that the party's belief that such actions will unite Hindus is misguided. "I'm also a Hindu," the chief minister remarked, highlighting his own respect for Dharmasthala and Lord Manjunatha, while accusing the BJP of politicising the issue.
The controversy began when a complainant, CN Chinnaiah — who has since been arrested on perjury charges — alleged he had been forced to bury numerous bodies, including those of sexually assaulted women, in Dharmasthala over the past 20 years. The SIT formed by the state government has since carried out excavations at several sites along the Netravathi River, where some skeletal remains were discovered at two locations. The JD(S), led by its youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy, also held a similar rally with the same demand for a central probe.
Also read: JD(S) seeks NIA probe into Dharmasthala case
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