Did the Masked Man Act on Directions in the Dharmasthala Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's claims about the mask man acting on directions.
- Demands for accountability from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
- Public trust issues arising from government actions.
- Importance of thorough investigations in serious allegations.
- Impact on community sentiment in Dharmasthala.
Bengaluru, Aug 18 (NationPress) Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, stated on Monday that the unidentified complainant, also known as the mask man, has confessed to the authorities that he acted under “certain directions” in the mass grave case.
While addressing the media in Delhi, Pralhad Joshi urged that the identities of the individuals behind the ‘Dharmasthala conspiracy’ should be disclosed and demanded an apology from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the citizens of the state for the government's actions regarding the mass grave allegations.
He remarked, “The masked man himself has now admitted that he acted on certain directions. From the outset, without thoroughly investigating this anonymous individual, the government displayed a lack of responsibility. Therefore, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah must promptly seek the forgiveness of the people.”
Joshi pointed out that when the masked man alleged that numerous corpses of murder and rape victims were interred, the government should have conducted a proper interrogation, arrested him, and pursued further legal measures. Instead, Joshi claimed, the state government acted in accordance with his allegations.
He accused that after excavating at all the locations indicated by the masked man yielded no results, the government is now clamoring about a ‘conspiracy’. He emphasized that the Congress government is directly accountable for the turmoil created at Dharmasthala, a revered site for many.
“The state government has exhibited irresponsibility from the very beginning in the Dharmasthala 'farce'. Immediately following the allegation, without considering the ramifications, the government hastily established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for publicity's sake. Excavations commenced rapidly, resulting in confusion and chaos not just in Dharmasthala but throughout society,” Joshi expressed his profound disappointment.
He added that the government should have initially verified the masked man’s background. If his claims had proven to be true, a comprehensive police investigation should have been initiated, and only if necessary, an SIT could have been formed for the probe.
“Instead, the government acted opportunistically rather than out of necessity, and its eagerness to form the SIT reflects the Congress government's leftist ideology. This has offended the religious feelings of the people,” Joshi asserted.
Pralhad Joshi urged that even at this stage, the state government must conduct a thorough investigation, disclose the names of all individuals involved in the conspiracy, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should apologize to the people of Karnataka.