What Did Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade Say About the Dharmasthala Case?

Bengaluru, Aug 19 (NationPress) Dharmadhikari of the renowned Dharmasthala temple and BJP Rajya Sabha member Veerendra Heggade expressed his views on the recent controversies surrounding the mass grave allegations, asserting that there are efforts aimed at distracting the youth from their faith.

In a media briefing regarding the alleged Dharmasthala murders case, Heggade remarked, “We welcome any inquiry. However, misinformation circulating on social media has led to significant confusion, particularly among young people.”

“There are intentions to lead the youth away from their faith. The confusion caused by such messages has unsettled them. I believe this is a grave issue that is unfolding,” he emphasized.

“We are hosting an event for the youth today, yet attempts have been made to dissuade them from participating in temple and religious activities. This has negatively influenced their minds, which is unacceptable,” Heggade stated.

Addressing the alleged Sowjanya gang rape and murder case, he clarified, “This young woman was never associated with us. Our staff members were the first to respond on that day. I immediately contacted the government to pursue the perpetrator. We have no direct involvement aside from alerting the police. Nonetheless, accusations have been levied against our family members who were abroad at the time.”

“While they were overseas, claims arose that they were involved in this crime. They were abroad for educational purposes. The allegations are entirely unfounded, yet we find ourselves implicated. There are rumored names associated with this, but we cannot verify them. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) must disclose these names and identify those who have tarnished the institution’s reputation,” he stated.

“It is the SIT’s duty to clarify this matter. We are vigilantly monitoring their findings. Recently, interim orders were issued, and we now await a conclusive report that we hope will provide clarity. We have made every effort to maintain transparency, stating, ‘Proceed with any investigation; we are open to it,’” Heggade concluded.

In a significant update, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced that the investigation into the mass grave case would remain paused until chemical and DNA analysis reports are received. This decision was confirmed by the SIT.

During a session in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, he responded to inquiries from BJP members regarding the duration of the SIT investigation, stating, “So far, only exhumation efforts have been carried out. Collected samples have been dispatched for DNA and soil testing. The investigation will proceed based on the results.”

The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to criticize the Congress-led government in relation to the mass grave case, asserting that the formation of the SIT is a conspiracy orchestrated by the Congress party.

Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, remarked in Bengaluru, “The Dharmasthala SIT is a fabrication by the Congress, scripted by ultra-leftists and executed by the Siddaramaiah government.”

He further criticized, “The so-called Dharmasthala investigation is merely a manufactured conspiracy orchestrated by the Congress high command—crafted and directed by ultra-leftists and urban naxals. These factions, closely linked to CM Siddaramaiah, are dictating and guiding government actions.”