BJP holds mega rally in Dharmasthala, demands central probe into allegations of murders, burials
Dharmasthala (PTI): The BJP on Monday organised a massive rally in Dharmasthala, demanding a central agency probe into allegations of multiple murders, rapes, and burials in the temple town.
According to the party, nearly one lakh people from across Karnataka participated in the demonstration, which it described as a show of solidarity against what it termed an "attempt to vilify the temple and its traditions."
The 'Dharmasthala Chalo' rally saw the participation of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, former Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, MPs, and other senior leaders.
Addressing the gathering, Vijayendra urged the Centre to hand over the case to either the CBI or the NIA.
He accused the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of "failing to deliver justice to the Hindu community."
Vijayendra questioned the credibility of the SIT formed by the state, claiming, "Congress should not test the patience of crores of devotees." He also visited the family of a girl who was allegedly raped and murdered over a decade ago, assuring her mother that the party would continue pressing for justice in the case.
The alleged rape and murder of the 17-year-old college student in 2012 remains a sensitive issue in coastal Karnataka. The BJP leader’s visit comes amid renewed public attention, following protests and calls for an impartial investigation.
Meanwhile, Joshi accused the Siddaramaiah-led government of "appeasement politics" and said allegations of hidden graves at Dharmasthala were intended to malign a major Hindu pilgrimage centre. "If such claims were made about a mosque or church, would pits be dug without evidence?" he asked, calling for vigilance against what he termed "divisive politics".
Party leaders said the rally aimed to counter a "smear campaign" against one of Karnataka’s most prominent religious and cultural centres.
Ashoka alleged "urban Naxal influence" in the case and said the SIT was targeting "small fish" instead of the real culprits.
The Congress government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations. However, the BJP maintained that only a central agency "could ensure a transparent investigation."
Earlier in the day, Vijayendra and Ashoka, along with a delegation of BJP leaders, visited the Manjunatha temple, offered prayers, and met the temple's Dharmadhikari, Veerendra Heggade.
The controversy erupted after a complainant, later identified as C N Chinnaiah, alleged that dozens of bodies—including those of women showing signs of sexual assault—had been buried in Dharmasthala over the past two decades. Chinnaiah has since been arrested on charges of perjury.
The SIT has conducted search operations at multiple sites along the forested banks of the Netravathi River, identified by the complainant, where skeletal remains were recovered at two locations.
On Sunday, the JD(S), led by youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy, organised a similar demonstration in Dharmasthala under the banner of ‘Dharmasthala Sathya Yatre,’ also seeking a central probe.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
