Bengaluru, Dec 27 (NationPress) Accusing the Congress-led Karnataka administration of mishandling the supposed Dharmasthala mass murder incident, the State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) posed a critical question: who will bear the consequences of the malicious propaganda targeting the Hindu pilgrimage site?

During a press briefing at the state BJP office, Jagannath Bhavan in Bengaluru, State BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra remarked that the management of the alleged Dharmasthala mass grave situation and the supposed plot to undermine Hindu sentiments have sparked debates at local, national, and international levels.

“There has been significant dialogue surrounding the mental distress experienced by the devotees of the Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Temple due to this malicious propaganda. In response to the demands from so-called urban Naxals, the Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) hastily formed an SIT,” he stated while criticizing the state administration.

“Through the 'Dharmasthala Chalo' (March towards Dharmasthala) initiative, the BJP raised awareness about the Karnataka government's negligence,” Vijayendra added.

He questioned the appropriateness of the Chief Minister making decisions that disregard the sentiments of millions of devotees based on public outcry.

“Who will be accountable for the malicious propaganda?” Vijayendra inquired, noting that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has offended Hindu sentiments, has yet to issue an apology.

“Instead, CM Siddaramaiah has distanced himself by asserting that his actions were justified,” Vijayendra claimed.

He expressed that the nefarious forces behind the conspiracy remain undisclosed.

The alleged Dharmasthala mass burial case refers to claims about the existence of mass graves in and around the Dharmasthala area, sparking political turmoil and public discourse within Karnataka.

The issue gained traction after allegations of skeletal remains being unearthed emerged, leading to claims of a broader conspiracy and raising alarm among devotees of the Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple.

Vijayendra further accused the Congress government, stating, “The Congress administration under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is enacting anti-Hindu policies and committing injustices to the state under the guise of guarantees.”

He noted that previously, individuals engaged in illegal cattle transportation had to seek judicial bail after their arrests and vehicle seizures.

Vijayendra alleged that the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government plans to permit police to grant bail at the station and return seized vehicles on bonds.

He questioned whether such actions were not 'anti-national' and whether they did not offend Hindu sentiments.

“Why such leniency for them?” Vijayendra asked, claiming that the Karnataka government has compromised its integrity for minority appeasement.

The State BJP President mentioned that even Ministers cautioned in the state Cabinet that such a move could result in the loss of Hindu votes, leading to the non-introduction of the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill.

Vijayendra condemned the Congress-led Karnataka government for discussing intolerance while passing a hate speech Bill in the House without allowing for debate.

He characterized it as reckless behavior, alleging that the Congress-led Karnataka government introduced the Bill to obscure its failures and to shield itself from criticism from the BJP, JD-S, private citizens, and the media.

He alleged that the Karnataka government is conspiring to imprison individuals for nine to ten years for criticizing the hate speech bill on social media, labeling it an 'anti-democratic' action.

Drawing a comparison to the Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi in 1975, Vijayendra asserted that the Karnataka government has enacted a law that resembles those oppressive times.

This represents a symbol of intolerance and signifies a grave threat to democracy, the State BJP President concluded.