Latest news with #DharmasthalaChalo
Deccan Herald
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar accuses BJP of politicising Dharmasthala case
DKS was responding to BJP's 'Dharmasthala Chalo' rally, in which party members travelled in several vehicles to the temple town protesting against what they call a 'smear campaign' against Hindu temples and traditions.
Hans India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Mass grave row: K'taka govt backs Dharmasthala, will take action against those who misled, says Minister Hebbalkar
In the wake of the politics and controversy surrounding the issue, the Karnataka government on Saturday reiterated that it stands firmly with the Dharmasthala pilgrimage centre and assured that action will be taken against those who misled the government in this regard. Speaking to the media in Udupi on Saturday, Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said, 'Our government stands with Dharmasthala. The unknown complainant is narrating hundreds of fictitious stories. We will not spare those who misled the government.' 'Dharmasthala is a sacred place. Attempts are being made to defame it. Despite the excavation of burial sites one after another, nothing substantial has been found. The government will always stand with Dharmasthala,' she added. 'A bundle of lies was propagated on social media about the temple town. Later, the BJP picked up the allegations and is now shedding crocodile tears. The matter was discussed at both national and international levels. Those who indulged in defaming Dharmasthala will be punished,' Hebbalkar stated. 'The investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is progressing. Many have been levelling accusations and attacking the government. To put an end to speculations and allegations, Home Minister G. Parameshwara constituted the SIT. The issue was raked up deliberately, and it should end now,' she said. 'Let the BJP make claims on hundreds of issues. The party is behind the unknown complainant and the masked man. The SIT has been formed to put an end to all the drama surrounding this matter. I am a devotee of Lord Manjunatha. I have unflinching faith in the sacred Dharmasthala pilgrimage centre. I fully endorse the statement of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar,' Hebbalkar added. 'The government is committed and concerned. Dharmasthala is a place where 'Dharma' is upheld. Let all actions that bring disrepute to Dharmasthala come to an end,' she stated. She also urged that justice should be delivered in the Sowjanya murder case and in other cases reported from Dharmasthala. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated on Friday that action will be initiated against those who indulged in carrying out propaganda against the Hindu pilgrimage centre Dharmasthala in the alleged mass grave case. 'The government is considering taking action against those who have lied and spread misinformation in connection with the Dharmasthala case,' he had announced. Dy CM Shivakumar said, 'This is not a matter for or against Dharmasthala. All procedures must be carried out lawfully. I have observed Dharmasthala very closely. I have faith and confidence in the devotion, reverence, and practices there. I believe that in the coming days, the investigation will reveal the conspiracy that took place. Regarding this matter, our Home Minister G. Parameshwara will present the facts before the state by responding in the Assembly.' Meanwhile, the Karnataka BJP unit launched the 'Dharmasthala Chalo' campaign on Saturday morning to counter the alleged conspiracy surrounding the mass grave case. The campaign was flagged off at the Nelamangala toll on the outskirts of Bengaluru. In a major development, on July 11, the unidentified complainant in the case, who is a lower caste Hindu, had claimed that he was forced to bury several bodies of women and girls who were raped and murdered in Dharmasthala village. He appeared before a court in Karnataka's Mangaluru district and recorded his statement. The man gave his statement before Principal Civil Judge and First Class Judicial Magistrate. The development has sparked a major controversy. He requested that the police exhume the bodies in his presence. Even as 17 burial sites were excavated, the authorities could not find any strong evidence. Retired Supreme Court judges and activists demanded a SIT probe monitored by the Supreme Court or the High Court into the shocking case, allegedly involving many women, girls and destitute men. While the state government has followed the rule of law and allowed a probe into the alleged mass murders, the Opposition BJP has accused it of giving in to anti-Hindu forces and demanded an interim report from the Home Minister.
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Dharmasthala: Two new informants claim to have witnessed burials
Two new informants have met officers of the special investigation team (SIT) probing the claims about mass burials of alleged victims of murder and sexual assault at Dharmasthala, alleging that they had seen a body being buried at a new location, police said. ASpecial Investigation Team (SIT) examining the site in the Dharmasthala mass burial case in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. (PTI PHOTO) Meanwhile, the SIT is continuing its search for human remains in the Dharmasthala mass burials case, with renewed efforts based on new tip-offs. A fresh excavation was carried out at the Bahubali hills on Saturday, which yielded no results, police officers said. The team dug a 20-feet by 20-feet trench to a depth of about 10 feet under a dry tree, but no bodies or remains were found. A detailed search operation about 15 feet away from the previously marked Point 16 also yielded no evidence. So far, the investigation has involved excavations at 16 different locations. Skeletal remains have been found at Point 6 and 10, while the search at Point 13 was suspended due to technical issues. 'The recent events in Dharmasthala are disappointing. There is a malicious campaign being run against Dharmasthala. Dharmasthala is a sacred and revered place, and we stand firmly with it,' said BJP MLA SR Vishwanath in Chikkaballapura district's Gauribidanur. 'Lord Manjunathaswamy of Dharmasthala is very powerful; people fear to act against him. Yet, false propaganda is being spread about the holy shrine. Therefore, on August 16, we will organise a massive 'Dharmasthala Chalo' rally from Yelahanka to Dharmasthala,' he said. 'Over 200 cars with saffron flags will participate under the slogan 'We are with Dharmasthala'. We will visit the deity and return. After this, similar campaigns will begin in other parts of the state,' Vishwanath added. On the anonymous informant's claim in the mass burial case, he remarked: 'If the person says he buried victims of rape and murder, then he himself should be hanged first. If he knew about such crimes and still buried the bodies, he too is guilty. He should be punished before anyone else.' 'Some people are trying to gain attention by spreading lies that hundreds of bodies were buried in Dharmasthala. This has hurt Hindus across the country. The anonymous person must be arrested,' demanded former deputy chief minister KS Eshwarappa in Shivamogga. 'There is a deliberate attempt to insult the Hindu community and create suspicion about a sacred place like Dharmasthala. The state government must immediately find out who is behind this. One person claims to have buried hundreds of bodies in 13 places. Could he have done it alone? Which anti-national and anti-religious group is backing him?' he asked. Eshwarappa further said: 'There is a conspiracy to spread false propaganda about Dharmasthala. The anonymous person has failed to show the burial sites. The state has already issued an order allowing the questioning and arrest of anyone connected to this matter.' 'There must be a thorough investigation,' he added.
