A high-profile delegation of religious seers from Karnataka, under the banner of Sanatan Sant Niyog, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday, seeking a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the ongoing Dharmasthala murders case.
The group, led by Vachanananda Swamiji of the Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali Peeth in Harihara, included seven other senior religious leaders.
The delegation submitted a detailed memorandum and urged the Central government to take over the investigation, alleging that anti-social elements are deliberately targeting Dharmasthala—a prominent religious and cultural centre—just as they have targeted other Hindu pilgrimage sites like Sabarimala and Tirupati.
While the seers stated they do not object to the state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT), they emphasised that only a national-level probe could uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.
“The SIT lacks clarity. This is not just a criminal matter—it is an attack on our religious values,” said Vachanananda Swamiji, speaking to the media after the meeting.
According to sources, HM Shah assured the seers that he has been monitoring the developments closely and would raise the issue in the upcoming Cabinet meeting.
He also promised to consider new legal frameworks to counter misinformation and propaganda targeting religious communities.
A Plea for Protection
The memorandum submitted to HM Shah described the situation as a ‘sham unfolding at Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala’ and a ‘painful and intolerable’ attack on the Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade family and the principles of Sanatan and Jain Dharma.
It called for swift justice and the creation of strong deterrents to prevent such incidents in the future.
The memorandum stated: “The Sanatan and Jain communities have long upheld peace, harmony, education, and philanthropy. Today, we raise our voices to protect our spiritual traditions from calculated assaults.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara commented that any allegations of foreign funding linked to the case would fall under the jurisdiction of the Central government.
His remarks reflect mounting pressure from the BJP, JD(S), and Hindu organisations, all urging the government to hand over the probe to the NIA.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is reportedly examining the financial dealings of certain activists involved in campaigns against temple authorities, particularly in relation to alleged foreign funding.
As calls for a central probe grow louder, all eyes are now on the Centre’s decision.
Religious leaders insist that only decisive action can ensure the long-term safety of India’s sacred institutions and the preservation of its spiritual legacy.
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