Dharmasthala Row: Shivakumar Mocks BJP's Sept 1 rally; VHP Search NIA, Ed -Sundy with reference to AI footage, foreign financing

Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister and the leader of the congress, DK Shivakumar, on Tuesday claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and his affilities have orchestrated a ‘smear campaign’ against the reverent Dharmasthala temple, even as the Vishva Hindu -Parishad (VHP) a central inquiry (NAS) and enforing doire claimed (ED). The row escalated after startling demands of mass funeral and sexual assault at the age-old sanctuary, which was later found false, caused political sparring and public discomfort. Why did the Dharmasthala temple come under controversy? The controversy was unleashed when a complainant, identified as CN Chinnaia, claimed that dozens of bodies – including women showing signs of sexual assault – were buried in Dharmasthala over two decades. His claims point to the temple administration fingers. However, Chinnaiah was later arrested on a charge of perjury after investigators found his allegations unfounded. The state government forms a special investigative team (SIT), which followed up skeletal remains on a few wooded sites along the Netravathi River, although no direct link with the temple administration was established. What is the VHP demanding? The Vishva Hindu-Parishad has accused an “interests” of orchestrating an online information campaign against Dharmasthala, who allegedly used AI-generated footage and foreign funding to bring about rupees of rupees. VHP secretary Sharan Pumpwell has called on the NIA and ED to find financial routes and identify those responsible and claim that prohibited groups such as the Popular Front or India (PFI) and its political wing SDPI indirectly supported the campaign. Memorandums were submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Affairs Minister Narendra, Amit Shah, who requested Swift Central Intervention. Why does Shivakumar accuse the BJP? Shivakumar, who addressed reporters in Bengaluru, claims that the controversy was the result of an internal split within the BJP. “It is the BJP and his co -workers who conspired a black mark on Dharmasthala and tried to smear,” he said, and the Temple keeper spurred on featherendra side not to allow the sanctuary to be abused for political purposes. He also criticized the BJP’s planned “Dharmasthala Chalo” race on September 1 and called it an attempt to exploit committed and provoking unrest. “Do your rally in Bengaluru if you like. Don’t drag dedicated into politics, ‘he notes. How did Dharmasthala react Temple Authorities? Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari (custodian) of the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple, welcomes the sitting investigation and reflects the government’s call for truth and transparency. Both the BJP and the temple administration emphasized the importance of protecting the sanctity’s holiness in the midst of the political storm. What lies ahead in the Dharmasthala riding? As the sitting still investigates the cost of political parties, the controversy shows no sign of dismantling. While the VHP is investigating at the national level in alleged foreign involvement, Congress government accuses the BJP of the ominous disagreement. For the time being, the spotlight on whether central agencies will intervene, and whether the row deepens before the BJP’s September 1 event in Dharmasthala.