Dharmasthala case: Seers meet Amit Shah, seek NIA probe

A delegation of Hindu seers from the State, under the banner of ‘Sanatan Sant Niyog’, called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday. The seers demanded that the case of alleged mass burials in the temple town of Dharmasthala be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The delegation was led by Vachanananda Swamy of Veershaiva Lingayat Panchamasali Peeth in Harihara. The seers submitted a memorandum to Mr. Shah, claiming that Dharmasthala was being “targeted” in the same manner as other Hindu temples, such as Tirupati and Sabarimala.

The seers said they had no objection to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe but stressed that the “conspiracy” against the Dharmasthala temple must be exposed.

According to sources, Mr. Shah told the delegation that the NDA government has been closely monitoring the case and that the matter is likely to be discussed in the Union Cabinet meeting.

The Opposition BJP has been demanding an NIA probe into the Dharmasthala case. On Wednesday, JD(S) leader and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy met Mr. Shah.

HM seeks justification

Amid mounting pressure for an NIA probe in the case, Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Thursday said the State government has already constituted an SIT and that the Centre has to justify any move to take over the investigation.

Dr. Parameshwara remarked, “We formed an SIT to probe it. Earlier, they [religious leaders] said that the SIT probe itself was not proper. Now they are demanding that the matter be handed over to the NIA. Isn’t that an investigation too?”

On the issue of alleged foreign funding, he replied, “Naturally, the Central government has to probe those aspects that the State government cannot.” 

He maintained that SIT was looking into the allegations of multiple murders and the burial of bodies in the temple town of Dharmasthala. “If there are any shortcomings in the investigation, then it should be brought to our notice,” Dr. Parameshwara said.

Asked whether the State would comply if the NIA formally sought the case, he said, “The NIA will have to justify why it wants to probe it. The State government will not have options if they justify it.”

Meanwhile, Jain munis from across the State have planned to take out a march to Dharmasthala and offer a special pooja on September 10.