"Conspiracy being hatched to destroy legacy of Dharmasthala": Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 14 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said that a massive conspiracy is being hatched to destroy the legacy of Dharmasthala as the allegations have surfaced over the mass burial of human bodies in the region.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, he said, "I believe in Dharmasthala and its administrative board. The Home Minister will explain the reasons for forming an SIT. This place has lakhs of believers, let's not politicise this. Why would the Congress party intervene in this? Don't drag the Congress high command into this...We believe in the holiness of Dharmasthala more than you."
Speaking to reporters later, he said, "A conspiracy is being hatched to destroy hundreds of years of legacy. It is not correct to tarnish someone just like that. It has all happened due to one complainant."
Asked about the BJP's allegation that the Congress was trying to tarnish the image of Dharmasthala, he said, "The Congress party will not allow tarnishing the image of any religious place. We see everyone equally when it comes to religion."
Earlier this month, the Karnataka Government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter related to alleged incidents of mass murder, mass rape, and mass burial in Dharmasthala town.
The development follows a letter from the Karnataka State Women's Commission (KSWC) requesting that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah form an SIT under the leadership of senior police officials to investigate the matter.
In their letter, the KSWC cited a media report which consisted of a statement from a person who had claimed that bodies were buried in the past 20 years in the region.
The government order said that it was found appropriate to form a Special Investigation Team to investigate the cases registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita (BNS) at the Dharmasthala police station. (ANI)