Home Minister will make statement in both the Houses on Monday over alleged Dharmasthala mass burials, says Dinesh Gundu Rao
Taking to reporters after the district-level Independence Day programme at the Nehru Maidan, the Minister said the SIT was set up following demand by several people, including former Supreme Court Judge V. Gopala Gowda, Pattadhikari of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala and left wing activists. The dispassionate inquiry by the SIT will reveal the truth behind the serious allegation made by the 50-year-old former sanitation worker.
Asked about the interview given by the complainant, who is protected under witness protection scheme, to a national news channel on Thursday, wherein he revealed names of people who joined in burying bodies with him and also made new allegations against Dharmasthala temple administration, Mr. Rao said the SIT will definitely look into the veracity of his allegations and take necessary legal action.
The State government and the police were behaving responsibly with regard to the case. 'Our intention (in setting up SIT) was to bring the truth out'. Whether the SIT will continue with the excavation in new sites with only one skeletal remains being found in one of the 17 sites that were excavated so far, the Minister said Mr. Parameshwara's statements will reveal further steps to be taken up by the SIT.
The SIT, he said, has done a good work in the case. The government was keen in collecting evidence related to the complaint and it will not keep answering to speculative reports on the case. The SIT will also look into the likely conspiracy to defame the Dharmasthala temple and temple administrators in this case.
Reacting to the call by BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra to his party legislators to assemble in Dharmasthala on Sunday, Mr. Rao it was not surprise to see the BJP taking political mileage from this sensitive matter, Mr. Rao said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
24 minutes ago
- Mint
Watch: Burj Khalifa glows with Indian Tricolour in honour of 79th Independence Day
Dubai's iconic Burj Khalifa was illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag on Monday, August 15, as part of the celebrations marking the 79th anniversary of India's Independence. At precisely 7:50pm, the tricolour lit up the world's tallest building, drawing large crowds who gathered to witness the patriotic display. A video capturing the moment showed the Indian flag cascading down the length of the skyscraper's facade, a sight that drew cheers from the crowd. The annual tradition of projecting the Indian tricolour onto the Burj Khalifa has become a symbolic gesture of friendship between India and the United Arab Emirates. This year's display was no exception, serving as a poignant reminder of India's journey since gaining independence in 1947. Earlier in the day, a flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the Indian Consulate in Dubai. During the event, the Consul General praised India's progress across key sectors. He highlighted significant strides in governance, the development of robust digital public infrastructure, and advancements in space exploration. The Consul General also acknowledged the increasing empowerment of women across the country and India's growing self-reliance in the defence sector, noting these achievements as central to the nation's vision for the future. India's Independence Day celebrations are observed with pride by millions of Indians around the globe. The Burj Khalifa tribute stands as a powerful visual representation of India's enduring spirit and its rising presence on the world stage.
NDTV
24 minutes ago
- NDTV
BJP Parliamentary Board To Meet On Sunday, May Discuss Vice-President Pick
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to hold its parliamentary board meeting on August 17 at the party headquarters in New Delhi. As per sources, discussions can likely be held on the candidate for the Vice Presidential elections. According to a senior party source, "The BJP parliamentary board meeting is scheduled for 17 August 2025 at the BJP office in Delhi. All parliamentary board members will attend. There could be discussions on the NDA's candidate for the post of Vice-President of India." Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other parliamentary board members are expected to be present at the meeting. On August 6, leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unanimously passed a resolution authorising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief and Union Minister JP Nadda to finalise the NDA's candidate for the Vice-Presidential election, scheduled for September 9. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, 74, resigned from his post citing health reasons on 21 July 2025. In his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, posted on the Vice-President's official X account, he wrote, "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice-President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution." The Election Commission notified the schedule for the election of the Vice President of India. The poll, if contested, will be held between 10 AM and 5 PM on September 9 at the First Floor of the Parliament House, a press note said.
India.com
24 minutes ago
- India.com
PM Modi makes big announcement on fighter jets, Pakistan and China must be worried due to...
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address from the Red Fort on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day, emphasised the need to develop indigenous fighter jet engines in India. He described it as a big step towards self-reliance in the defence sector, adding that India will have to reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers and further accelerate its efforts in defence manufacturing. He also pointed out that the engine for 'Made in India' fighter jets should also be completely indigenous. What did PM Modi emphasise in his Independence Day address? PM Modi said that things made from the sweat and soil of the citizens of India strengthen India's self-reliance. He appealed to small traders to put up a board of indigenous goods at their shops and give priority to products made in the country. He said, 'We will use indigenous goods not out of compulsion, but with strength. This should be our mantra.' What areas did PM Modi focus on? The Prime Minister said that in today's IT era, the power of data and cybersecurity is very important. He emphasised the need to develop technologies like operating systems, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in India. Along with this, talking about the coming electric vehicle era, he said that all the things required for EV batteries, solar panels and EV infrastructure should be made in India itself. He said that the youth of the country can play a leading role in innovation and production in all these areas. India to manufacture 24 LCAs in a year Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has started its third Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) production line at Nashik. This production line is the first LCA manufacturing facility outside Bengaluru, which is a very important step from a strategic point of view. Bengaluru already has two LCA production lines, with a combined annual capacity of 16 aircraft. Now with Nashik's additional annual capacity of 8 aircraft, India will be able to manufacture a total of 24 LCAs in a year.
