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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Maoist carrying bounty of Rs 15 lakh among four killed in gunfight with security forces in J’khand
Hazaribag (PTI): Four Maoists, including one carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district on Friday, police officials said.
The encounter took place in the Khapia forest area within the Keredari police station limits, following a tip-off.
"Four Maoists were killed in a gunfight with joint forces in 'Operation KotiNeer'. The Maoists killed have been identified as regional committee member Sahdeo Maho, carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh, Ranjit Ganjhu, Zonal committee member, carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh," IG, CRPF, Saket Kumar Singh told mediapersons.
The remaining two are Area Commander Budhan Karmali, carrying a reward of Rs one lakh and sub-zonal committee member Natasha, a woman who hailed from Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.
SDPO of Barkagaon, Pawan Kumar, said that no security personnel were injured in the operation.
The Maoists killed were wanted in about 80 cases.
With the encounter, only 57 Maoists are left in the state, the IG said.
A number of arms were also recovered during the operation including two AK 47 and one INSAS rifles.
The development comes close on the heels of a fierce exchange of fire between a Maoist squad headed by Misir Besra, who carries a bounty of Rs 1 crore, and police personnel on April 15 in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum. Four security personnel were injured in the encounter.
The Centre has already informed the state governments that there are no Naxal violence-affected districts in the country, more than five decades since Left Wing Extremism (LWE) originated in India.
The declaration followed a high-level security review held earlier this month by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the mandated 'National Policy and Action Plan to Address Left Wing Extremism' formulated in 2015.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament on March 30 that India was free from Maoists.
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