(They dug the hill but did not find even a mouse)

India must change course: invest in future-ready sectors, remove barriers to input access, unleash MSMEs by reducing GST burden, and put product design and development at the heart of its export strategy. — Mahadevayya Karadalli

Dharmasthala is the abode of Shri Manjunatha Swamy, the living embodiment of Lord Shiva. It is also the sacred seat of the guardian deity of this region, Shri Annappa Swamy. Dharmasthala is a holy Shaiva center where the temple Priests are Vaishnavas, while the religious head is the Dharmadhikari, is a Jain. This unique blend makes Dharmasthala a rare confluence of Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Jain traditions—a living symbol of social harmony.

Dharmasthala is equally renowned as the ‘Temple of Justice’, with a long-standing reputation as a divine court that resolves personal, family, and social disputes. Devotees from across the state, regardless of religion, sect, or region, visit Dharmasthala throughout the year to seek the blessings of Shri Manjunatha Swamy.

The Dharmadhikari has declared that education should be accessible to all, and no student should be deprived of learning. Accordingly, the institution runs numerous schools and colleges—from nursery to postgraduate and professional levels—along with vocational institutions and hospitals across the region. Self-employment training centers function in collaboration with nationalized banks. Thousands of women’s self-help groups, comprising members from Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities, are actively engaged, empowering lakhs of families. Dharmasthala has thus provided education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities to millions.

Through its members, Dharmasthala Sanstha also conducts hundreds of service activities, such as tree plantation drives for environmental protection, water conservation movements, and the provision of free drinking water. Irrespective of the political party in power in Karnataka, Dharmasthala has consistently worked for the welfare of citizens, particularly women. In this light, every government, regardless of ideology, ought to support such an institution that tirelessly promotes religious and social harmony as well as community welfare.

Why was an anonymous complaint given priority?

After decades of peace, an anonymous individual calling himself “Bheema (Maskman)” suddenly emerged with a complaint, attempting to portray falsehood as truth. He has not disclosed his real name, his village or town, or his past life details, raising serious doubts about his intentions. His claim about decades-old buried bodies prompted the Karnataka government to immediately form an SIT (Special Investigation Team), despite earlier statements that no such body would be constituted.

Shockingly, the state administration has extended hospitality, livelihood support, and protection to this unnamed person. The public is puzzled by this preferential treatment and suspects pressure from unseen quarters. The government’s surrender to an anonymous complainant has triggered mass resentment, as many view this as state support for false propaganda against a holy place.

For 13 consecutive days, despite repeated digging and the use of rented Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) devices, no evidence has been found. Yet, the SIT continues to allow new digs at the behest of this complainant. Meanwhile, in the absence of transparent updates from the SIT or the government, several You Tubers are spreading anti-Hindu, anti-religious, and anti-traditional propaganda on social media. The government must act firmly against such elements.

Government’s Faulty Decisions

Even after extensive digging, including at “Point No. 13,” nothing was discovered. Still, the government authorized digging up to 20 feet deep in a sensitive dam catchment area—thankfully without incident. It is common sense that a single person could not secretly dig massive pits of 4–6 feet decades ago without anyone noticing. Yet, now machines are being used for excavations of 20 feet. The SIT’s unusual “over-activeness” for 17 continuous days raises serious questions.

This GPR-based inquiry has, in fact, opened a “Pandora’s Box.” Following the anonymous complainant’s directions has only dragged Dharmasthala into unwarranted controversies. Similar  demands for SIT probes at other religious sites, including dargahs in Chikkamagaluru, using the same GPR technology. Now local leader Raghu Sakaleshpur has called for a separate SIT probe—with GPR into 27 graves, including the ancient Audumbara tree and surrounding tombs at Dattatreya Babubudan Swami Darga in Chikkamagaluru using GPR technology, as was done in Dharmasthala and demanding the same level of scrutiny. 

Media and Social Media Misuse

A photo widely circulated on Facebook under the hashtag #Dharmasthala allegedly showed skeletal remains. However, reverse image search revealed it originated from *Le Monde*, a French newspaper dated May 5, 2021, depicting soldiers’ graves in Rennes—not Dharmasthala. This exposes deliberate misinformation. Such propaganda, reminiscent of earlier attempts to defame Hindu shrines like Shani Shingnapur and Sabarimala, suggests an orchestrated campaign by vested interests such as SDPI and left-leaning groups.

Offense Against Devotees

It is disheartening that more sympathy appears to be extended to Muslims and Christians, while Jains—who are also a minority are completely ignored. Selective empathy by vested groups and international media with dubious sources only strengthens conspiracy theories.

Shockingly, even a 39-year-old murder case was suddenly linked to Dharmasthala, despite successive governments remaining silent for decades. Even more startling a stranger “sister” Indravati along with  CPM leader B. M. Bhat submitted a complaint related to Padmalatha’s murder, which occurred 39 years ago in this same area,  now to enforce an SIT probe in Dharmasthala  seems to be a malicious and politically motivated.

The claim that hundreds of bodies were buried secretly over decades in an area that daily hosts thousands of devotees, farmers, and workers is absurd. If such graves truly existed, why has no one seen anything all these years?

Voices of Outrage

Both Congress and BJP leaders have condemned the government’s actions. Senior Congress leader B. Janardhana Poojari asked that whether the Chief Minister not even understands Hindu cremation traditions, questioning why only temples are targeted while burials in mosques and churches are not questioned. BJP leaders/legislators  like C.T. Ravi Sunil Kumar and Suresh kumar  have demanded an end to false propaganda. Ruling party Congress MLA Shivaganga Basavaraj said that Dharmasthala’s Dharmadhikari, Rajya Sabha member Shri Virendra Hegde has been working continuously for several decades to create jobs for farmers, the poor, women by providing training and self-employment, especially girls, in the way the government works. He said that Dharmasthala Sri Kshetra is a place of pride for all Hindus including Jains.

Jain communities across Karnataka have also staged silent protests. Devotees in Shivamogga, Mandya, and Dharwad marched on the streets. Cases have been filed against individuals spreading derogatory remarks against Jains on YouTube.  Daily protest rallies were going on to protest against  pious place Dharmastala  and attempting to portray falsehood as truth

Double Standards

Ironically, a case was filed against Andola  Sri Siddalinga Swamiji of Bajrang Dal for demanding removal of illegally constructed graves in the vicinity of  Central University of  Karnaaka  Kalaburagi . Yet no action has been taken against those spreading false propaganda /claims about Dharmasthala. Why this double standard? People are rightly questioning the government’s policies.  If the government continues this unwise course, it risks sparking similar demands across the state for GPR investigations into various disputed sites.

A Warning to the Government

This entire episode appears to be an attempt to tarnish the reputation of Dharmasthala, to appease minorities, and to reap electoral gains. But people’s patience should not be mistaken for weakness. Beneficiaries of Dharmasthala’s service activities, especially women’s self-help groups, are angered. Continued injustice may erode the ruling party’s support base and even jeopardize its political future.

Even the British refrained from interfering in Hindu religious practices. Any attempt now to repeat such misadventures will only backfire. If any party, group, or individual conspires against the Dharmasthala shrine, it will be nothing less than driving nails into their own coffin.

Call for Justice

To restore faith in governance, the state must act fairly and transparently. Let the truth emerge quickly, and let the honor of Shri Manjunatha Swamy be restored. Those who make false allegations must face fitting punishment. May Shri Manjunatha Swamy grant justice and expose, punish  the conspirators behind this malicious campaign.