Devotees’ forum condemns smear campaigns against Dharmasthala

Mangaluru: Dharmasthala Bhaktabhimani Vedike, Dakshina Kannada, a forum of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala devotees, adopted a resolution condemning the humiliation of Dharmasthala temple Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade and the smear campaign against the shrine.During a religious awareness meet organised by the vedike to voice solidarity with Dharmasthala temple and Heggade at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall on Friday, leaders from various religious, political, and social organisations urged the state govt to put an end to a conspiracy against the temple."Attempt to dishonour dharmadhikari, who dedicates his life to the overall development of Dharmasthala temple, through humiliations on the basis of fictitious allegations is an inexcusable offence. Such acts of those sadists have hurt the sentiments of devotees, and it may turn into fury. Hence, the govt should find a permanent solution before (this happens)," the meeting resolved.Harinarayanadasa Asranna, hereditary priest of Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple, said that the smear campaigns not only targeted dharmadhikari, but also Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala. He said Kateel temple was also under attack due to a similar conspiracy a few years ago. "Today it is Dharmasthala, but we should understand that such smear campaigns may also target other Hindu religious shrines in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi in future. Their aim is to destroy the Hindu community. Hence, this is an issue of the entire Hindu society, not about Dharmasthala temple alone," he said.Kalkura Prathishtana president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura emphasised the need for Hindu society to raise its voice against the smear campaign against Dharmasthala and Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade. Terming the smear campaigns against Dharmasthala as part of a bigger scam, Kalkura said that those who are campaigning against the shrine are taking advantage of the silence of Hindus.Former chairman of Keonics and BJP functionary, Harikrishna Bantwal, questioned the origin of the skull that the complainant witness in the Dharmasthala mass burial case produced before the court. "There is a need for a thorough investigation to find the origin of the skull," he said. He said only a probe by multiple agencies like NIA, CBI, and ED will bring the truth about the conspiracy against Dharmasthala to light. Former minister B Nagaraj Shetty alleged that an investigation is essential to find the source of foreign funding that is aimed at the destruction of Indian culture.Former BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel, party district president Sathish Kumpala and VHP activists MB Puranik and Sharan Pumpwell were present.

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