Dharmasthala row disrupts Assembly proceedings
The Karnataka Assembly turned chaotic on Monday as opposition BJP clashed with ruling Congress over the ongoing investigation into alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala. The uproar followed activist claims that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was linked to “28 murders,” triggering sharp exchanges that forced Speaker U.T. Khader to adjourn the session.
BJP leaders accused the Congress government of forming a special investigation team (SIT) under pressure from the party high command and “ultra-leftist forces.” Congress, however, maintained that the SIT was constituted strictly as per legal procedure.
Home Minister defends SIT formation
Responding to opposition criticism, Home Minister G. Parameshwara clarified that the SIT was not set up on instructions from the Congress leadership. He said the probe began after a complaint was filed at Dharmasthala police station by a person who claimed he was threatened and forced to bury bodies.
Parameshwara told the House that the complainant alleged several people, including women who faced sexual assault, were buried at different locations. “So far, only exhumation work has been done. Samples were sent for DNA and soil analysis. At one site, a skeleton was found, and at another, bones were recovered. These have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL),” he explained.
The skull initially produced by the complainant was also sent for forensic testing. The minister said the investigation would progress only after laboratory reports are received.
Witness protection sparks political debate
The Home Minister also defended the decision to protect the complainant under the Witness Protection Act. “A committee led by the district judge, along with the superintendent of police and the public prosecutor, has granted protection to him and his family. Therefore, it is not possible to arrest him,” Parameshwara told legislators.
However, the BJP alleged that the complainant was being shielded for political reasons. Opposition leader R. Ashoka said the SIT was formed “in a hurried manner, at the instance of the Congress high command,” and accused ultra-leftist groups of influencing the process.
BJP MLA Vijayendra claimed that organisations opposing the Dharmasthala temple were behind the controversy and were using it to target BJP national general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh and RSS leaders.
BJP demands accountability from CM
The opposition demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah apologise to the people, accusing the Congress government of “irresponsible handling” of the issue. “This mess was created by the government. People’s faith has been shaken. The CM must take responsibility,” Ashoka said in the House.
Congress MLAs strongly objected to the remarks, storming into the well and demanding that Speaker Khader expunge allegations made against the party high command. With the ruckus intensifying, the Speaker adjourned the Assembly session.