Dharmasthala case: HM Amit Shah assured of action on conspirators after Sep 8, says Jain monk Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj
Religious Leaders Meet Union Home Minister Over Dharmasthala Case
A group of eight religious leaders recently met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to discuss the ongoing Dharmasthala murder cases in Karnataka. Jain monk Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj shared that during the meeting, Amit Shah assured them that action would soon be taken against those involved in alleged conspiracy and violence linked to the case.
Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj told the media that the Home Minister is closely monitoring the situation. Shah also announced he is convening a special meeting on September 8 to review the case and give directions for action against the alleged conspirators. The delegation, which included seven sadhus and a mathadheesh from Jain and Hindu communities, had a detailed 45-minute discussion with Shah about the issue.
The religious leaders expressed concern over propaganda and what they called high-handedness against Hindu and Jain communities. They also raised concerns about the injustice and false allegations surrounding the Dharmasthala incident. They asked Shah to help expose the conspiracy behind the case and to bring justice.
A key focus of the meeting was the need for new laws to prevent such attacks and conspiracies targeting religious communities. The delegation requested that strict legal action be taken against those spreading false information or inciting violence. Shah reportedly assured them that new legislation would be introduced soon, especially to regulate social media, which they said currently lacks accountability. He promised that false content would be swiftly removed within 24 hours once identified.
The delegation also discussed the broader issue of attacks on religious leaders and the need for stronger measures to combat such threats across India. Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj mentioned that the Dharmasthala case has become a point of major controversy, with some groups falsely claiming that hundreds of murders have happened, creating unnecessary panic and pressure on communities.
In addition to the meeting, the religious leaders submitted a memorandum to Shah demanding that the Dharmasthala murder cases be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Leader Vachanananda Swamiji from the Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali Peeth emphasized that Dharmasthala is facing a conspiracy similar to attacks on other major Hindu pilgrimage sites like Sabarimala and Tirupati. While they expressed support for the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, they underscored the need to expose the conspiracy fully, which is why they urged for NIA intervention.
Shah assured the delegation that he is aware of the case’s details and is reviewing the situation carefully before making any decisions. The Home Minister also spoke about measures to prevent such violence and conspiracy against religious sites in the future.
Meanwhile, Karnataka’s Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated that any questions about foreign funding in the Dharmasthala case will be investigated by the Central government. This has come amid growing demands from political parties like BJP and JD-S, as well as Hindu organizations, to transfer the case to the NIA. Parameshwara mentioned that investigations related to foreign funding are already underway, with agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) examining bank accounts linked to the case.
Overall, the meeting highlights the serious effort by religious groups to ensure justice and safety for their communities, while the government is taking steps to address the concerns raised and prevent such incidents in the future.
