Karnataka Dy CM confident Dharmasthala 'conspiracy' will be exposed through investigation
Bengaluru, Aug 15 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday expressed confidence that the alleged conspiracy to tarnish Dharmasthala's image will come to light through the ongoing investigation. He also indicated that strict action would be taken if the allegations in the Dharmasthala "mass burial" case are found to be false.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), set up by the state government, is probing claims of mass murder, rape, and mass burials in Dharmasthala spanning the past two decades.
The complainant, a former sanitation worker whose identity has been kept confidential, alleged that between 1995 and 2014, he was forced to handle bodies—including those of women and minors—some of which bore signs of sexual assault. He has submitted a statement before a magistrate.
As part of the probe, the SIT has been digging at several locations identified by the complainant along the banks of the Netravathi River in Dharmasthala, recovering skeletal remains at two sites so far.
"Not in favour or against Dharmasthala; things should happen in accordance with the law. I have confidence. I have witnessed the devotion and power there up close. This conspiracy will come out in the days ahead through investigation, in my personal opinion," Shivakumar told reporters here.
He said he was confident that Home Minister G Parameshwara would reveal the truth during a debate on the Dharmasthala issue in the Assembly on Monday.
Asked about the alleged conspiracy, Shivakumar said, "the home minister will inform on this. The chief minister (Siddaramaiah) has also said that no one should make false allegations or run a campaign against any religious person or institution. This was stated in the Congress legislature party meeting."
Shivakumar added that if the allegations are proven false, strict action would be taken following the law.
"Law is equal for everyone. If anyone is wrong, they will be punished. But no one should unnecessarily defame others," he said.
Parameshwara had earlier told the Assembly that legal action could be taken against the complainant if the SIT finds the allegations to be false.
During the Assembly discussion, BJP legislators criticised the government for its handling of the investigation and for inaction against what they called a "slander campaign" targeting Dharmasthala and the temple.
The party demanded an interim report and action against the complainant and others allegedly behind the allegations, claiming they were part of a "toolkit to denigrate Hindu gods and their places of worship."
Parameshwara is expected to respond to the discussion on Monday.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
West Asia: India supplied 22,000 MT of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March, says MEA
New Delhi (PTI): Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, India has supplied 22,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March and has received a request from Seychelles and the Maldives to meet their energy requirements, the MEA said on Friday.
At his weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in his response to a query related to requests received from India's neighbouring countries for fuel amid the West Asia situation, also said that India is "finalising a government-to-government agreement" for the supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing energy security of Mauritius.
The conflict in West Asia has now stretched to nearly 50 days, with global ramifications.
"So, we have received requests from our neighbouring countries for supply of fuel, and these are being looked into, keeping in mind our own requirements, availability and refining capacity," Jaiswal told reporters.
He further said India has "supplied 22,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March 2026, and further supplies have continued this month as well".
"You would recall that last month we had supplied 38 metric tonnes of petroleum products to Sri Lanka as well," he added.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Mauritius last week, the MEA spokesperson said, adding, "We are finalising a government-to-government agreement for supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing the energy security of Mauritius".
As far as Nepal is concerned, there is an existing arrangement between Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation to supply petroleum products to Nepal as per its requirements. The supplies are continuing without any interruption, he said.
Energy supplies to Bhutan also continue according to the existing arrangement.
"As I had mentioned earlier, we have received a request from Seychelles and the Maldives to meet their energy requirements. We continue to be in touch with them in this regard, and are considering the request keeping in mind our own domestic requirements and availability of fuel.
"I would also like to add that our neighbouring country governments have expressed appreciation for the uninterrupted supply, fuel supply to them during the West Asian conflict," Jaiswal said.
Global oil and gas prices surged after Iran restricted the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG trade.
_vb_59.jpeg)
