Mangaluru: Minister for Health and Family Welfare, and Dakshina Kannada District in-Charge Dinesh Gundu Rao said that Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara will make a statement on the floor of the House in the ongoing legislature session, on Monday regarding the SIT probe into the Dharmasthala alleged mass burial case.
“Through the SIT, the government aims to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation, free from any pressure, to bring out the truth. The truth must come out. Shouldn’t we investigate the allegations? The Home Minister will decide the future course of action,” he told media persons in Mangaluru after the Independence Day celebrations.
He accused the BJP of politicising the issue by exploiting religious sentiments. “The BJP has followed this strategy from the beginning. The allegation that the probe has tarnished the image of Lord Manjunathaswamy and the temple is far from the truth. There is no link between the SIT investigation and the Dharmasthala Kshetra. The sanctity of the temple remains unaffected. The exhumation process was not carried out in the temple,” he clarified.
He further alleged that the BJP is deliberately spreading misinformation about the recent exhumation. “Exhumation does not diminish sanctity, and revealing the truth should not be a problem for anyone. Devotees are not easily swayed from their faith,” he said.
“The BJP views everything through the lens of political gain. Initially, they demanded an SIT probe and remained silent for 10 days. When the facts started emerging, they began using it for political mileage,” he alleged.
On the complainant witness revealing his identity in a media interview despite being under witness protection, the Minister said, “I do not know what he has spoken. I am confident that the SIT will uncover the truth. His allegations had made international headlines and were serious in nature. A thorough investigation will ensure that no doubts remain.”
Asked about any conspiracy in the case, he said, “The SIT will examine the matter from all angles. The exhumation process is not an easy task—especially amid rainfall and in forest terrain. The police are working responsibly. The SIT has been given full powers to investigate without any interference.”
When questioned about the continuation of the exhumation, the Minister said that the SIT officers will decide on the matter.
He said “I had only stated that SIT was constituted after several organisations, leaders, including left parties, Veerendra Heggade demanded a thorough probe into the investigation by constituting SIT.