The political storm surrounding the controversial Dharmasthala case has deepened with serious allegations levelled by Karnataka MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy. Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Reddy claimed that Congress MP and former IAS officer Sasikanth Senthil is the mastermind behind a conspiracy to malign the reputation of the historic Dharmasthala temple.
Reddy alleged that Senthil, who represents the Thiruvallur constituency in Tamil Nadu, had “hatched an agenda” along with two individuals from Dakshina Kannada to defame the temple and create unrest in the region. “Although the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister were not initially keen on pursuing this case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under pressure from the Congress high command. This proves that there are vested interests behind the controversy,” Reddy said.
He demanded that the central government take over the probe, either through a sitting High Court or Supreme Court judge or through a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry. Stressing that Senthil is known for his leftist leanings, Reddy argued that his political and ideological background make his role in the issue highly suspicious.
BJP echoes concern
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also joined the chorus of voices questioning the intent behind the SIT probe. Party state president BY Vijayendra pointed to media reports linking Senthil to the case. “It appears that deliberate attempts have been made to tarnish the sanctity of Dharmasthala. This is not just an attack on a religious institution, but on the faith of millions of Hindus. A transparent investigation is necessary,” Vijayendra demanded.
The BJP also attacked the state government for what it called “selective action” in law enforcement. “In incidents in Mandya and Tumakuru, the government acted within hours when objectionable posts were made on social media. But when a venerated institution like Dharmasthala is being targeted, there is hesitation. This raises doubts whether the government is appeasing certain groups behind this conspiracy,” Vijayendra said.
SIT probe and excavations
The controversy erupted after an anonymous complaint alleged that hundreds of bodies were buried on the Dharmasthala premises. Following this, the SIT began a large-scale excavation drive, digging at 17 locations over a period of 16 days. Officials confirmed that skeletal remains were found in two places, but no conclusive evidence has yet been established.
The excavated soil and skeletal traces have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis. According to sources, the FSL report, expected later this week, will focus on three key aspects: whether the remains belong to a man or woman, the approximate age of the deceased, and the time elapsed since death. SIT officials have also ordered a test to determine whether human bones could have dissolved in the soil, following suspicions raised by the complainant.
“The FSL findings will guide the next phase of our investigation,” said Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara while responding in the Assembly. He confirmed that the excavation work has been paused temporarily, but the SIT inquiry continues. “An interim report will be available soon, and further searches may resume next week,” the minister said.
The Dharmasthala case has already become a major talking point in the Karnataka Assembly and has spilt over into national political discourse. BJP leaders allege that the SIT itself was constituted under pressure from the Congress high command, raising questions about the political motivations behind the move.
Sasikanth Senthil, at the centre of the controversy, has not yet issued a detailed response to the allegations. A career bureaucrat who served as Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada between 2017 and 2019, Senthil resigned from the IAS citing “moral reasons” before joining the Congress. He became an MP in 2020 and is regarded as a prominent voice of the party’s ideological wing.
Meanwhile, the SIT has questioned the anonymous complainant at its Belthangady office. Officials maintained that while excavations have been halted, “no angle is being ignored” in the ongoing probe.
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