NIA Probe Demanded by BJP in Dharmasthala ‘Mass Burial’ Case; Statewide Rally Planned

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is advocating for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the investigation into the alleged mass burial incident at Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala. The current investigation is being handled by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). In response, the BJP has organized a large-scale ‘Dharmasthala Chalo’ rally, scheduled for September 1, to garner public support and press for an NIA probe. Addressing a press conference, BJP Karnataka president and MLA BY Vijayendra emphasized that an NIA investigation would foster public trust and ensure transparency. He appealed to the entire Hindu community within the state to participate in the rally. The purpose is to protest against actions that have purportedly offended Hindu sentiments and to demand an NIA investigation. On September 1, devotees are urged to visit local temples in their respective towns and villages, offer prayers, and join processions before converging at Dharmasthala. A large gathering will take place at Dharmasthala at 2:00 PM to raise awareness about the issue and to issue a warning to the state government. The BJP state president stated that the government’s handling of the Dharmasthala issue has undermined its standing and that a thorough NIA investigation is essential to uncover the organizations and malicious forces behind the controversy. He also warned of potential conspiracies targeting other Hindu temples. Vijayendra criticized the Chief Minister’s quick actions on the Dharmasthala issue, suggesting that the government should have first gathered information about the individual making the accusations and the groups backing them. He proposed that the state intelligence or police should have conducted a preliminary investigation before any decisions were made. He cited the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede incident, where lives were lost due to government actions, and accused the Chief Minister of making hasty decisions in the Dharmasthala matter. The complainant, arrested by the SIT, was found to have provided misleading information. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara confirmed the arrest and stated that the police are working to expose the network behind the case.