Bengaluru: To condemn the alleged smear campaign against Dharmasthala’s Manjunatha Swamy Temple and its Dharmadhikari, D. Veerendra Heggade, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a “Dharmasthala Chalo” yatra from Bengaluru’s Byatarayanapura Assembly constituency. Led by BJP State Secretary Tammesh Gowda, the yatra, comprising approximately 500 vehicles, began from the Gundanjaneya Temple at Kodigehalli Gate and will culminate in Dharmasthala with a meeting and a darshan of Lord Manjunatha Swamy.Speaking about the yatra, Tammesh Gowda stated, “We will not tolerate the smear campaign against Dharmasthala. We have organized this yatra with 500 vehicles. Upon reaching Dharmasthala, we will hold a meeting and seek the darshan of Lord Manjunatha Swamy.”read also: BJP’s Another Dharmasthala Chalo Rally Against Alleged Smear Campaign: Team Begins Journey from Byatarayanapura
He added, “Let the SIT conduct its investigation; we have no objection to that. However, we cannot tolerate the conspiracy-driven smear campaign against Dharmasthala. We are aware of the developments taking place there. The truth behind this conspiracy must be exposed.”In his statement, Gowda emphasized, “Our religion has faced numerous smear campaigns since time immemorial, but it has never wavered. Dharmasthala has been recognized for centuries for its religious and social contributions. We stand with Dharmasthala.” The yatra aims to uphold the temple’s sanctity while also serving as a protest against the Congress government.The yatra from Byatarayanapura includes hundreds of BJP workers and Dharmasthala devotees. It is expected to reach Dharmasthala by evening, where a meeting will be held, and participants will take a pledge to protect the temple’s honor during the darshan of Lord Manjunatha Swamy.read also: Patna High Court Ruling: GST Refund Limitation Period to Start from Date of Correct Tax Payment
Tammesh Gowda noted that similar yatras will commence from Bommanahalli and Jayanagar tomorrow.The SIT investigation in Dharmasthala has conducted excavations at 17 locations, with skeletal remains found at two sites. However, a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scan found no human remains. The BJP has accused the Congress government of orchestrating this investigation as part of a conspiracy. The Congress has rejected these allegations, with Home Minister G. Parameshwara asserting that the probe will uncover the truth without any pressure.Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar called the BJP’s yatra a “political maneuver,” stating, “The Dharmasthala Chalo yatra is not a religious journey but a politically motivated one.read also: Successful Test of India’s Most Powerful Agni-5 Missile: Capable of Reaching Northern China
The Congress is committed to protecting Dharmasthala’s honor. The SIT investigation will reveal the truth.” However, Tammesh Gowda emphasized that the yatra aims to foil the conspiracy targeting the sentiments of Dharmasthala’s devotees.This yatra has sparked intense debate in Karnataka’s political landscape, and the outcome of the SIT investigation will 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)