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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Minor girl kidnapped and raped; main accused and two cafe owners held
Latur (PTI): A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by an 18-year-old man in Latur, leading to the arrest of the main accused and owners of two cafes where the crime occurred on December 4, police said on Saturday.
Police traced the girl within hours of registering the complaint. The accused, identified as Rihan Gulab Shaikh, was arrested based on the girl's complaint. Two others are owners of two cafes where the crime occurred, police said.
Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, an official said.
