Should Sonia Gandhi Intervene in the Dharmasthala Murders Case?

Bengaluru, Sep 5 (NationPress) A group of women activists from Karnataka have reached out to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi concerning the troubling Dharmasthala murders case, formally requesting her intervention through a letter.

They expressed their disapproval of remarks made by Congress officials that seem to minimize the significance of lives lost over the years and also question the independence of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) from any political influence.

Among those voicing concerns are Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, alongside other Congress figures who have suggested that there is a conspiracy aimed at undermining the temple town of Dharmasthala. Shivakumar has publicly stated in the Assembly that those responsible for conspiring against the pilgrimage site would face consequences.

Approximately 40 women activists, including actress and activist Arundhati Nag and director Kavita Lankesh, have endorsed the letter. They initiated a campaign titled 'Who Killed Women in Dharmasthala?'

"Our campaign's main goal is to ensure that the investigation is solely centered on delivering justice to the women and other victims. This focus should not be compromised due to religious or political interests. As one of the senior women leaders in the opposition and a member of the ruling Congress party in our state, we appeal to you for your backing," the activists articulated.

"Ms. Gandhi, we want to emphasize that this issue transcends Dharmasthala, Belthangady, and Mangaluru. It's about whether the State can confront its systemic complicity in violence against women and whether women in Karnataka can trust that their lives genuinely matter. As a political figure who has worked to instill ethics and compassion into politics, we believe your intervention is crucial—not just to seek justice for the women of Dharmasthala but also to restore our faith in the Karnataka State Government and the law enforcement agencies tasked with protecting the vulnerable," they added.

They continued, "We, the proponents of the newly launched campaign in Karnataka, 'Who Killed Women in Dharmasthala?', write out of deep concern regarding the ongoing investigations into a series of unresolved crimes in Mangaluru district that highlight the pervasive issue of violence against women."

"As activists and concerned citizens who have been vocal about these issues, we initially hoped that the formation of the SIT would bring justice and healing for the families affected by long-standing trauma. Regrettably, within weeks of the investigation's commencement, it has been subject to sensational media scrutiny and political maneuvering. What should have been a moment of accountability has devolved into intimidation tactics and efforts to obscure justice," the letter stated.

"In light of this, remarks made by Congress officials have only escalated the situation, raising doubts about the integrity of the investigation. Statements made by key figures in the Karnataka government prior to the SIT's completion trivialize the lives lost over many years and challenge the SIT’s ability to operate free from political influence," the activists emphasized.

The women activists have set forth three demands. Firstly, they insist that the SIT's focus remain firmly on investigating the complex pattern of unnatural deaths and sexual assault cases in the region. Reports from the RTI and the Ugrappa Committee in 2018 have highlighted these unnatural deaths alongside the inaction and complicity of local authorities. Justice must be delivered to the victims, perpetrators prosecuted, and officials who neglected their responsibilities held accountable.

Secondly, they implore state Congress leaders to refrain from making statements that could jeopardize the SIT's operations and a fair investigation. Instead, they should actively work towards redirecting attention to achieving justice for the victims and dismantling the entrenched systems that foster such violence.

Lastly, they demand action from the state government against officials responsible for the mismanaged investigation in the Soujanya case, ensuring accountability as per the Karnataka High Court's ruling dated September 13, 2024.