DK Shivakumar said he has faith in Dharmasthala and that the conspiracy will be exposed in the coming days. His statement came even as the SIT is probing the matter and some human skeletal remains have been recovered from suspected spots.
Published Aug 15, 2025 | 4:23 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 15, 2025 | 4:23 PM
Karnataka Dy CM and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar (X)
Synopsis: Shivakumar called the case an “empty vessel making much noise.” So far, after 16 days of exhumation, the SIT found partial skeletal remains in site number six, which police officers suspected were the remains of a man. They also found human remains 100 metres from site number 11.
Even as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues excavations at multiple sites as part of the probe into alleged burials in Dharmasthala village, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday, 15 August, lent support to the BJP’s claims, calling the case a “conspiracy” to damage the reputation of the temple town.
“There’s a big conspiracy underway. I won’t say who’s behind it. But it’s a well-planned strategy to tarnish (Dharmasthala) and defame a legacy of hundreds and thousands of years…efforts are on to destroy that,” Shivakumar told reporters.
The SIT, formed under his government, has been investigating the allegations that a former sanitation worker had secretly buried many bodies in Dharmasthala, allegedly at the direction of the temple administration, since 29 July.
Shivakumar, however, called the case an “empty vessel making much noise.” So far, after 16 days of exhumation, the SIT found partial skeletal remains in site number six, which police officers suspected were the remains of a man. They also found human remains 100 metres from site number 11.
“The home minister will explain it in detail (in the legislature). The law is the same for everyone; there is no attempt to protect anyone. No one’s reputation must be tarnished,” Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters outside the KPCC office in Bengaluru on 15 August, Shivakumar reiterated that he has faith in Dharmasthala and that the conspiracy will be exposed in the days to come. The opposition BJP has been making similar claims of conspiracy in the case.
“The Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala is doing yeoman service; we do not doubt it. Someone has been accused of crimes due to an internal feud. When many complaints have come, the home minister or the government cannot ignore them. We believe in the holiness of Dharmasthala more than you,” Shivakumar said in the Assembly on Thursday.
He also said that the government was contemplating action against those who carried out a ‘misinformation campaign’ against Dharmasthala.
“Many members have spoken about this issue. I have told them that action must be taken against those who are misleading the investigation. The Chief Minister has also said action must be taken. Dharma must not be tarnished. Culprits must be punished,” Shivakumar said.
Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara told the Assembly that if the allegations made by the key witness are false, legal action would be initiated against him under the law. He reiterated the SIT’s commitment to a fair probe.
The BJP, meanwhile, has urged the ruling Congress to submit an interim report during the ongoing Legislature session on the SIT’s investigation into the case so far. Party leaders alleged that there was a ‘leftist smear campaign’ against Dharmasthala and Hindu places of worship.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour on Thursday, BJP’s Karkala MLA and former minister V Sunil Kumar said, “There has been a smear campaign for a few months to malign Dharmasthala. It looks like the government is sympathising. A group is conducting an organised conspiracy.”
Responding to these allegations, Parameshwara said, “Let me make it clear as home minister that we have not yielded to any pressure and will never. The truth should come out. Shouldn’t we conduct a probe into the allegations? SIT is moving in the right direction.” He urged the BJP not to give a religious or political twist to the case.
Earlier, on 13 August, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka demanded that the state government disclose the identity of the masked man, who has been leading the police to digging sites at Dharmasthala in search of alleged mass graves. He also urged the government to hand over the probe into the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The Congress is currently under mounting pressure from the BJP, as well as devotees of the Dharmasthala temple. The Home Minister is expected to make a statement on the case in the Assembly on Monday, 18 August.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
