In a significant and highly controversial statement, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar has publicly dismissed the ongoing Dharmasthala case as a "big conspiracy" and an "empty trunk" designed to tarnish the reputation of the centuries-old temple town. The remarks have come as a surprise, given that a Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed by his own government, has been actively probing allegations of "mass burials" for nearly a month. Shivakumar's comments not only align with the narrative pushed by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but also create an unprecedented situation where a senior government official is openly casting doubt on an investigation launched under his administration.
The Allegations and the Investigation So Far
The controversy began with a whistleblower, a former sanitation worker at the Dharmasthala temple, who alleged that he had been forced to bury hundreds of bodies, including those of women who were victims of sexual assault. His allegations, which came after a long period of silence, led to a public uproar and mounting pressure on the state government to act. In response, the Karnataka government formed an SIT to conduct a thorough investigation, including large-scale excavations at sites identified by the whistleblower along the Netravathi River.
However, after weeks of intensive digging using modern equipment like ground-penetrating radar, the SIT's findings have been minimal. According to news reports and official statements, the team has so far recovered little to no evidence to substantiate the claims of "mass burials." This lack of physical evidence has given rise to a new political dimension in the case.
A Striking Political Alignment
For weeks, the BJP has been at the forefront of a campaign to defend the Dharmasthala temple and its Dharmadhikari, Dr. Veerendra Heggade. The opposition party has consistently labeled the allegations as a "smear campaign" and an "anti-Hindu conspiracy" to defame one of the state's most revered religious institutions. The BJP has also questioned the motives of the government-appointed SIT, accusing it of a politically motivated "witch-hunt."
D. K. Shivakumar's recent statements echo this exact sentiment, creating an unusual political consensus. Speaking to the media, Shivakumar declared, "I know the entire detail. This case is an empty trunk, which is just making noise." He further added that there is a "big conspiracy underway... a well-planned strategy to tarnish [Dharmasthala] and defame a legacy of hundreds of years."
The Deputy CM's remarks come despite an internal Congress legislature party meeting where a few lawmakers, including himself, had reportedly urged the Chief Minister to take "indiscriminate action" against those spreading slander and misinformation.
The Government's Stance and the Path Forward
While Shivakumar's statements have been widely reported, the Karnataka government's official position remains with the SIT. The Deputy CM himself stated that he has faith in the ongoing professional investigation and has put the onus on the Home Minister, G. Parameshwara, to present the official report in the Assembly.
In a follow-up statement, Shivakumar indicated that the government is contemplating taking legal action against those who "misguided" the investigation. This suggests that if the SIT's final report confirms the absence of evidence, the whistleblower and others involved could face legal repercussions.
This development adds a new layer of complexity to the case, which also involves a long-standing demand for justice for Sowjanya, a 17-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in Dharmasthala in 2012. While the court had acquitted the accused in that case, her family and activists continue to demand a reinvestigation. The recent comments from Shivakumar may be seen as a setback by those seeking a broader probe.
Conclusion: D. K. Shivakumar's direct and unambiguous statements have ignited a fresh political storm around the Dharmasthala case. By publicly branding the allegations as a "conspiracy," he has not only given a powerful voice to the temple's defenders but has also put his own government in a difficult position. The outcome of this case now hangs in the balance, awaiting the Home Minister's report. Whether this "empty trunk" of a case is closed for good or whether it reopens old wounds, the political message from the top of the government is now crystal clear.
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