Tamil Nadu MP Sasikanth Senthil Is 'Mastermind' Behind The Plot To Malign Dharmasthala: Ex-BJP Minister

Former minister Janardhana Reddy has levelled explosive allegations, claiming that Tamil Nadu Congress MP and former IAS officer Sasikanth Senthil is the "mastermind" behind what he calls a conspiracy against the Dharmasthala temple.

Speaking to reporters, Reddy on Tuesday alleged that Senthil, along with two individuals from Dakshina Kannada, had "prepared an agenda with the intention of bringing a bad name to Dharmasthala." He further claimed that although both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister were reluctant to pursue the case, an SIT was constituted "under pressure from the high command."

Reddy has demanded a thorough inquiry into Senthil, who he described as having "leftist views." He urged the central government to order either a judicial probe by a sitting High Court or Supreme Court judge, or a CBI investigation into the matter.

Adding weight to the demand, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra also said that a full-fledged investigation should be conducted to expose the conspiracy.

Government, Opposition at Crossroads

The matter echoed in the Karnataka Assembly as well. The Home Minister pointed out that the government had acted swiftly-"within 3-4 hours"-during recent incidents in Mandya and Tumkur involving social media posts. However, critics have questioned the state's hesitation in acting against those allegedly targeting a major Hindu religious centre like Dharmasthala. This has fuelled suspicion that the government may be attempting to shield the conspirators.

Heggade Breaks Silence

Meanwhile, Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade of the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple has strongly refuted the allegations, particularly those linking the temple to the 2012 Soujanya case, according to a report in PTI.

Soujanya, a 17-year-old PUC student of SDM College, was allegedly raped and murdered on October 9, 2012. Fresh protests have erupted recently, reviving demands for justice and linking the temple to the crime.

Heggade dismissed the claims of multiple murders, rapes, and secret burials in Dharmasthala as "baseless and false." In an exclusive interview with PTI, he said:

"These issues are baseless and false, and I was really hurt by these accusations. The way things are projected in social media is morally wrong."

Welcoming the SIT probe, he added: "We welcomed the SIT the same day. It's good that the state has formed it and once and for all the truth should come out. It's not good that allegations are made and they remain that way."

Calling for closure, he urged, "We want the investigations to conclude at the earliest and the issue be resolved. All our books and we in particular are open. The SIT has to thoroughly investigate and the guilty be punished."

Heggade further alleged that Dharmasthala had been the target of an organised misinformation campaign for over 14 years. "Irked by the good work being done by us, some elements carry out false campaigns but we are unperturbed."

On recent viral videos showing a masked man claiming bodies were secretly buried in the temple premises, Heggade said: "This is impossible. There is a popular belief that if one dies in Dharmasthala, they will get salvation. Whenever there is a death, we used to inform the panchayat and they do due diligence and bury the body."

He also expressed concern over the role of social media:

"They want the youth to turn away from the faith. We are shocked and surprised the way things were depicted. Social media is a very powerful medium and many of our well-wishers say that we have not used social media to publicise our good work. The work carried out in society is our duty, it's a commitment and service. We have reached all the villages and touched 55 lakh families through various social works."

Soujanya Case Resurfaces

Responding to renewed calls for justice in the Soujanya case, Heggade said: "When we came to know that such a thing has happened we informed the government the same day. Allegations on our families are baseless. Our family members who they alleged were abroad for education and we have produced documents. These are vicious campaigns."

With allegations, denials, political demands and an SIT probe in motion, the Dharmasthala controversy has once again turned into a flashpoint between faith, politics, and law enforcement.