HASSAN, MANGALURU: Expressing doubts over the ongoing SIT investigation into the Dharmasthala case, JDS youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy demanded that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe the case to “uncover the truth”.
Speaking to reporters at Kandali village near Hassan, where he launched the ‘Dharmasthala Yatra’ with JDS leaders, workers, and devotees on Sunday, Nikhil accused the State Government of insulting Dharmasthala by assigning the investigation to SIT.
He criticised the SIT for allegedly failing to question the complainant immediately after he filed the complaint and questioned the way the SIT was handling the case by interrogating unrelated individuals. Nikhil said Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H D Kumaraswamy would soon meet Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara to discuss the issue.
Raising concerns over the involvement of anti-social elements, Nikhil reiterated that the JDS would not play politics over religious sentiments.
Later, addressing a gathering in Dharmasthala, Nikhil said, “Propaganda and false allegations against Dharmasthala Kshetra have hurt the sentiments of the devotees. For a fair probe, the case must be handed over to a central investigating agency. The state government has hatched a conspiracy by taking the unknown person’s complaint seriously. I, along with my family, extend moral support to bring out the truth. Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade’s patience, calmness, and silence must be appreciated.”
Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade, addressing the gathering, said, “Crores of devotees are the assets of Dharmasthala. We cannot measure the value of love and trust of the devotees. It is a place of truth, dharma, and justice.”