Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has organized a massive “Dharmasthala Chalo” rally to condemn the alleged smear campaign against the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple and its Dharmadhikari, D. Veerendra Heggade. The rally commenced from Bengaluru’s Byatarayanapura Assembly constituency, led by BJP State Secretary Tammesh Gowda and Bengaluru North District President S. Harish. The team began its journey from the Gundanjaneya Temple at Kodigehalli Gate, heading toward Dharmasthala. The rally aims to protest the accusations of mass burials and the social media campaign against the temple. Following allegations made by a former sanitation worker, the state government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which the BJP claims is part of a conspiracy to tarnish Dharmasthala’s sanctity.read also: Patna High Court Ruling: GST Refund Limitation Period to Start from Date of Correct Tax Payment
Protests by devotees and BJP supporters have already taken place in districts like Chikkamagaluru, Koppal, Yadgir, Mysuru, and Kalaburagi.The Dharmasthala Chalo rally from Byatarayanapura began this morning with religious rituals at the Gundanjaneya Temple. Led by Tammesh Gowda and S. Harish, the group includes hundreds of BJP workers and Dharmasthala devotees. The vehicles in the rally are adorned with saffron flags and stickers bearing messages like “Save Dharmasthala” and “Dharmasthala Chalo.” The participants are expected to reach Dharmasthala by evening, where they will have a special darshan of Lord Manjunatha Swamy and take a pledge to protect the temple’s sanctity.read also: Successful Test of India’s Most Powerful Agni-5 Missile: Capable of Reaching Northern China
BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra has supported the rally, accusing the Congress government of orchestrating a conspiracy against Dharmasthala. He alleged that the Congress is supporting “urban naxals” and “anti-Hindu groups” to undermine the temple’s sanctity. Home Minister G. Parameshwara, however, stated that the investigation will reveal the truth, accusing the BJP of politicizing the issue during the ongoing probe.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar called the rally a “political yatra,” asserting that the Congress is committed to protecting Dharmasthala’s honor. He emphasized that the investigation will proceed without pressure to uncover the truth.read also: Bengaluru Urban DC Mandates Traffic Awareness: Traffic Lessons to be Compulsory in Schools
The SIT investigation has conducted excavations at 17 locations, with skeletal remains found at two sites. However, a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scan on August 12, 2025, detected no human remains. Devotees and BJP workers allege that these accusations are aimed at tarnishing Dharmasthala’s religious and social contributions.The rally not only seeks to uphold Dharmasthala’s sanctity but also serves as a political show of strength by the BJP against the Congress government. The incident has sparked intense debate in Karnataka’s political landscape, with the outcome of the SIT investigation likely to determine the future of this controversy.JUNEBERRY® 100% Pure Cotton Oversized Loose Baggy Fit Drop Shoulder Half Sleeve Round Neck Cool Front Teddy Printed Cork & White T-Shirt for Women/Girls (Available in from S to 2XL)