Women activists in Karnataka have written an open letter to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, urging her to intervene in the Dharmasthala murders case. These women are concerned about how the investigation is being handled and want justice for the victims.
The activists are upset with statements from some Congress leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, that seem to downplay the seriousness of the crimes over the years. Shivakumar and others have claimed there is a conspiracy against Dharmasthala and promised to take action against those responsible, but critics say such comments undermine the ongoing investigation.
Around 40 women social activists, including well-known faces like actress Arundhati Nag and activist Kavita Lankesh, have come together to launch a campaign called “Who Killed Women in Dharmasthala?” Their main goal is to ensure the investigation focuses solely on delivering justice to women and other victims. They stress that political or religious interests should not interfere with seeking the truth.
In their letter, the activists emphasize that the issue goes beyond Dharmasthala or Karnataka. It’s about whether the state is serious about tackling violence against women and protecting their lives. They say that since the investigation started, media coverage and political politics have distracted from the real issues. Instead of uncovering truth and ensuring accountability, there have been attempts to intimidate witnesses and hide facts.
The women protesters have three key demands:
1. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) must stay focused on uncovering the truth about suspicious deaths and assaults in the region. Past reports, like the 2018 Ugrappa Committee report, have highlighted police failures and possible complicity. Justice needs to be served.
2. Leaders from the Karnataka government, especially from Congress, should not make statements that hinder the investigation. Instead, they should support fair justice and work to dismantle systems that allow violence against women.
3. The government must take action against officials involved in mishandling the investigation, especially in the Soujanya case, as ordered by the Karnataka High Court on September 13, 2024. Accountability is crucial.
This campaign aims to hold the government and law enforcement accountable and ensure justice for women victims in Karnataka. The activists believe intervention by Sonia Gandhi could play a vital role in restoring faith in the justice system and protecting women’s rights across the state.
