Did Pralhad Joshi Uncover a Conspiracy Against Dharmasthala?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of a conspiracy involving Dharmasthala are under scrutiny.
- The formation of an SIT has sparked political debate.
- Claims of mass graves raise serious questions about public safety.
- Political accountability is essential in responding to these allegations.
- Transparency in investigations can help restore public trust.
Bengaluru, Aug 15 (NationPress) In a robust response to Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's recent assertion regarding a “conspiracy against Dharmasthala,” Union Minister Pralhad Joshi raised questions about whether the state government, which swiftly established a Special Investigation Team (SIT), might be implicated in the allegations surrounding the mass grave.
While addressing the media in Delhi on Friday, Joshi queried, “If Shivakumar is aware of the conspiracy in the Dharmasthala case, how could Chief Minister Siddaramaiah remain oblivious?”
He pointed out that the state government initiated the investigation following an anonymous claim suggesting that numerous unidentified bodies had been interred in Dharmasthala.
Joshi criticized the rapid formation of the SIT, questioning the necessity of such urgent action. “Is the government indirectly aiding an effort to tarnish Dharmasthala’s reputation?” he asked. “Could this be part of a larger plot by the government itself?”
Shivakumar had previously commented, “There is a conspiracy against Dharmasthala. I won’t disclose by whom, but there’s a clear, orchestrated strategy to discredit it. I won’t elaborate further. There is an attempt to obliterate a centuries-old tradition and legacy.”
Joshi reiterated, “If the Dy CM is aware of this, how can the CM be ignorant?”
Despite Shivakumar's allegations of a conspiracy, CM Siddaramaiah proceeded with the SIT investigation. “Why is that?” asked Joshi.
Joshi further questioned if Siddaramaiah authorized the SIT investigation and excavation despite knowing the facts. “An SIT should have been formed only if there were initial findings during the police investigation. Instead, the government has ended up ‘digging a hill and not even catching a rat,’” Joshi remarked sarcastically.
In a significant development on July 11, an anonymous complainant came forward in Mangaluru district, claiming he was coerced into burying the bodies of women and girls who were raped and murdered in Dharmasthala. He requested that the bodies be exhumed in his presence, alleging that the victims bore evident signs of sexual violence.
According to him, the bodies were uncovered lacking clothing or undergarments and displayed injuries consistent with brutal sexual assault.