BJP State President BY Vijayendra has called for the National Investigation Agency to investigate the controversy surrounding Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, citing concerns from the Hindu community.
Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State President and MLA, BY Vijayendra, has urged the Karnataka government to promptly transfer the investigation concerning Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). This demand is made on behalf of millions of devotees and the broader Hindu community.
Speaking at a press conference held at the BJP State Office, Jagannath Bhavan, Vijayendra asserted that an NIA investigation would help restore public confidence among devotees. He called on the Congress-led government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to act swiftly on this matter.
To mobilize support for this demand, Vijayendra announced a “Dharmasthala Chalo” movement, which includes a large rally scheduled for Monday, September 1, 2025, in Dharmasthala. He encouraged the entire Hindu community across the state to participate in this event, aimed at protesting actions perceived to have hurt Hindu sentiments while advocating for an NIA investigation. He expressed optimism that a significant turnout from every Assembly constituency and district would make the rally a momentous occasion.
On the day of the rally, devotees are encouraged to visit local temples in their towns and villages, offer prayers, and partake in processions before heading to Dharmasthala. A substantial gathering is planned for 2:00 PM in Dharmasthala, intended to raise awareness about the ongoing issue and to issue a warning to the state government.
Vijayendra criticized the government’s handling of the Dharmasthala situation, claiming it has damaged its reputation. He emphasized the necessity of a thorough investigation by the NIA to uncover the organizations and malicious forces allegedly behind the controversy. He cautioned that such forces could potentially target other Hindu temples in a similar manner.
Questioning the Chief Minister’s urgency in addressing the Dharmasthala issue, Vijayendra pointed out that the government should have first gathered information regarding the individual who made the allegations and the organizations supporting them. He suggested that the state intelligence or police should have conducted a preliminary investigation before any decisions were made.
The Dharmasthala issue has ignited extensive discussions at state, national, and international levels over the past month. Vijayendra criticized the Congress government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for announcing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe based on a single complaint without thorough due diligence.
Vijayendra also raised concerns about the Chief Minister’s inconsistent decisions. Initially, the government indicated that the Dakshina Kannada police would handle the investigation. However, the following day, it was announced that the case would not be assigned to the SIT. By Sunday, the Chief Minister reversed his position again, declaring an SIT probe. Vijayendra questioned the reasons behind this abrupt change in stance and demanded transparency regarding the influences on the Chief Minister’s decisions.
While refraining from commenting on the Chief Minister’s personal beliefs or his reverence for Dharmasthala’s deities, Shri Manjunatheshwara and Shri Annappa Swamy, Vijayendra emphasized that Dharmasthala is a sacred pilgrimage site for millions of devotees. He expressed hope that the Chief Minister recognizes the significance of this revered location.
In drawing parallels with the tragic stampede incident at Chinnaswamy Stadium, where 11 lives were lost and many others were injured due to the government’s publicity-driven actions, Vijayendra accused the Chief Minister of making hasty decisions regarding the Dharmasthala matter. He highlighted that misinformation circulating on social media has deeply affected the sentiments of countless devotees, leading to widespread distress.
The BJP is urging the state government to assign the investigation to the NIA to ensure a fair and thorough probe, restore public confidence, and protect the sanctity of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala.
Source: Original article