Women activists’ letter highlights SIT credibility concerns and intensifies ruling party rift.
Bengaluru: A letter to Sonia Gandhi from several women’s associations and activists in Karnataka regarding the ongoing SIT probe into the Dharmasthala Mass Burial Conspiracy case has once again brought to the fore the infighting between two camps in the ruling Congress in the state.
Urging the former AICC chief and Rajya Sabha MP Sonia Gandhi to intervene into the Dharmasthala Mass Burial Conspiracy probe, several women’s associations, including Gamana Women’s Collective, Aweksha, and the All India Progressive Women’s Forum, have written a five-page letter to her expressing concerns over the ongoing investigation into the alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala. The letter was under the banner — “Who Killed Women in Dharmasthala?” The groups, in their letter, stressed that the inquiry must remain focused on justice for women and victims, free from political or religious influence. They urged the SIT to thoroughly probe the pattern of unnatural deaths and sexual assault cases in the region, citing RTI findings and the 2018 Ugrappa Committee report, with accountability fixed on both perpetrators and negligent authorities. The letter also called upon Congress leaders to refrain from giving statements that weaken the SIT’s credibility and instead support efforts to dismantle systemic violence against women. It also demanded swift action against officials who mishandled the Soujanya case, in line with the Karnataka High Court’s September 13, 2024, order. The associations emphasized that the issue goes beyond Dharmasthala or Dakshina Kannada, questioning whether Karnataka can confront systemic complicity in violence against women and restore public trust in governance and law enforcement.
Eminent personalities such as theatre expert Arundathi Nag, filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh, and Suman Kittur have also lent their support to the appeal. This letter emphasizing that the SIT inquiry must remain free from political or religious influence also called upon Congress leaders to refrain from statements that weaken the SIT’s credibility in the ongoing investigation. Sources from the government said that this reference was made specifically to the statements of Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka DK Shivakumar recently on the Dharmasthala case. Three weeks ago, DK Shivakumar had called the Dharmasthala burial claims a conspiracy. He said the allegations aimed at damaging the temple’s longstanding legacy. The case, he added, was based on one anonymous complaint with no strong proof. Shivakumar described the investigation as just “noise” with nothing substantial. He also said action would be taken against those misleading the probe. “Someone is attempting to tarnish a long-standing tradition. We all have faith in it, and the state government administers the religious department with the utmost respect. In the Dharmasthala Mass Burial case, a masked man has made a statement to the court, and several leaders have spoken out. There is a major conspiracy behind this incident. I will not name who is responsible, but it is a deliberate and systematic attempt to cast a black mark on the Dharmasthala administration and destroy a heritage preserved for hundreds of years. It is wrong to humiliate anyone without reason. I am aware of the complete facts of this case—this is nothing but an empty trunk being turned into a spectacle. No religious sentiments should be hurt, but anyone who has committed a wrong must be punished. Home minister (Dr G Parameshwara) will explain the probe in the legislature, assuring no bias in the investigation,” DK Shivakumar had said.
According to sources within the Congress party, the DCM’s statements on the Dharmasthala probe were not in good taste, especially with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his camp. The DCM’s remarks were taken as ammunition by the Opposition BJP in the state, which roasted the ruling Congress, stating the government was anti-Hindu and anti-temples.
These developments did not go down well with the Chief Minister, where once again the ruling party’s image was dented by the DCM’s statements. Sources within the party also pointed out that double standards were being observed. Minister for Cooperation KN Rajanna was expelled from the cabinet for his comments on Vote Chori, a campaign spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi. However, no action has been taken against DK Shivakumar.
Hence, Siddaramaiah thought it prudent that the Congress High Command should be apprised. Sources say thus a letter was sent to the top Congress leader Sonia Gandhi by several women’s organisations and activists in Karnataka, demanding that the SIT probe remain free from political or religious influence and also calling upon Congress leaders to refrain from giving statements that would weaken the agency’s credibility.
