The Janata Dal (Secular) party demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into allegations of multiple rapes, murders, and burials in Dharmasthala. The party's youth wing president, Nikhil Kumaraswamy on Sunday said the investigation was needed to uncover those behind the alleged "conspiracy and smear campaign" against the holy site, suspecting the involvement of foreign funding.
"There is no question of doing politics in the Dharmasthala issue. All of us should stand for 'Dharma,' and the truth should win," Nikhil Kumaraswamy told reporters before leading a rally, the 'Dharmasthala Sathya Yatre,' in Dharmasthala. "Some anti-social elements have conspired and are behind this episode of spreading misinformation. As devotees of Dharmasthala, we want the truth to come before the people." He added that for the probe to reach a logical conclusion, a central agency like the NIA should take over.
Kumaraswamy expressed suspicion that "some international media houses and YouTube channels have been encouraged by a section in a very organised and systematic way to create content or episodes in a bad way (against Dharmasthala) as part of a conspiracy". He insisted that there is international funding in this conspiracy. Hence, the NIA should take over the probe.
He also pointed out that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had previously alleged a conspiracy against Dharmasthala on the floor of the Assembly. Kumaraswamy confirmed that his father and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy would be meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the coming days to discuss an NIA probe into the case. "Kumaraswamy will address the media in New Delhi to share some information he has gathered from reliable sources, regarding the role of some people who are identified in the close circles of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, behind the government forming the SIT to probe the case," he said.
However, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said there is no need for NIA probe into allegations of multiple rapes, murders and burials in Dharmasthala over past two decades, and that the SIT has been given complete freedom to investigate and submit a report.
Speaking to reporters here, chief minister also said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate and get rid of the suspicion on Dharmasthala.
He was responding to a question on opposition JD(S) and BJP taking out separate rallies in Dharmasthala on Sunday and Monday, respectively, alleging conspiracy and smear campaign against the Hindu religious place and criticising the way the state government handles the issue.
"They (opposition) are doing politics in everything. Let them go (to Dharmasthala) if they want. Dharmasthala's Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade has welcomed the SIT probe. Truth has to come out. SIT has been formed to bring the truth out. Truth should be known; Otherwise, a sword of suspicion will be hanging," Siddaramaiah said.
The controversy began when a complainant, later identified as CN Chinnaiah and arrested for perjury, claimed to have buried a number of bodies — including those of women with signs of sexual assault — in Dharmasthala over the past two decades. The implications of his claims pointed towards the local temple administrators. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the state government has since conducted excavations at multiple sites identified by the complainant in the forested areas along the banks of the Netravathi River, where some skeletal remains were found at two locations.
Nikhil Kumaraswamy and other JD(S) leaders were scheduled to offer prayers to Lord Manjunatha at the temple upon their arrival in Dharmasthala and meet with Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade to extend their support. The JD(S) alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party, is also organising a "Dharmasthala Chalo" rally with a similar objective on September 1.
Also read: SIT conducts spot mahazar with complainant in Dharmasthala case
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