Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra announced a state-wide agitation named Dharma Yuddha (battle for the protection of dharma), starting Friday and continuing through the next week across all Assembly constituencies, to protest the state government’s handling of the Dharmasthala issue. Condemning what he called a “systematic conspiracy” to malign the revered temple town, Vijayendra accused the Congress-led government of inaction against those spreading malicious propaganda on social media, which he said has “deeply hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees.”

Addressing the media, Vijayendra criticized the government’s failure to act swiftly against those tarnishing Dharmasthala’s reputation, noting, “Despite repeated incidents of swift FIRs and arrests against Hindu activists for social media posts, no action has been taken against those maligning Dharmasthala.” He reaffirmed the BJP’s support for the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe allegations of multiple murders, rapes, and illegal burials in Dharmasthala over two decades, but questioned the government’s commitment. “The government’s silence suggests either weakness or deliberate support for those spreading lies,” he charged, alleging a “larger, organised effort to target the revered institution.”

The controversy stems from claims by a former sanitation worker, employed at Dharmasthala’s Manjunatha temple from 1995 to 2014, who alleged he was coerced into burying numerous bodies, including women and minors showing signs of sexual assault. The whistleblower, now under witness protection, recorded his statement before a magistrate and provided skeletal remains as evidence, prompting the Karnataka government to form an SIT led by DGP Pronab Mohanty in July 2025. Despite excavating 11 of 13 identified sites, the SIT has found only partial remains at one location, fueling skepticism from BJP leaders.

Also Read: Dharmasthala's Mystery: CM Vows Action as SIT Digs into Chilling Claims

Vijayendra’s call for Dharma Yuddha follows widespread protests by devotees and BJP supporters, with thousands rallying in districts like Chikkamagaluru and Koppal, condemning what they see as a smear campaign. Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade, a Rajya Sabha MP nominated by the BJP, dismissed the allegations as “baseless and false,” welcoming the SIT probe to uncover the truth. However, activists and writers under Jagruta Nagareekaru - Karnataka have criticized both the BJP and Congress for statements that may undermine the SIT’s impartiality.

The agitation highlights tensions between the BJP’s Hindutva narrative and the Congress government’s response, with Vijayendra demanding FIRs against those spreading disinformation. “We will not remain silent spectators while faith and tradition are under attack,” he declared, signaling a fierce political battle as devotees and investigators await the SIT’s findings.

Also Read: Karnataka Government Monitors Dharmasthala Social Media