Bantwal: Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmarakshana Vedike will host a Janagraha meeting at Sparsha Kala Mandir, Bantwal, on August 20 from 10 a.m. onwards, announced former MLA A Rukmaya Poojary at a press briefing.
Addressing the media, Poojary said that orchestrated misinformation campaigns and attempts to tarnish the image of Dharmasthala and its religious leaders have deeply hurt devotees. He explained that the meeting is being organized to respond to these negative developments.
He alleged that anti-religious elements are spreading fabricated stories and derogatory remarks on social media to defame the Dharmadhikaris. Following the gathering at Sparsha Kala Mandir, participants will take out a march to B.C. Road and submit a memorandum at the tahsildar’s office.
Leader N Prakash Karanth observed that it is distressing to see disrespectful comments about Dharmasthala. Tukaram Poojary, president of Rani Abbakka Tulu Study Centre, highlighted Dharmasthala’s numerous welfare initiatives and termed such defamation attempts as unfortunate.
Social worker Ramadas Bantwal described it as a conspiracy to undermine the noble culture nurtured by Dharmasthala. Leaders Sudarshan Jain and Ashok Shetty (Sarapady) also alleged that continuous baseless accusations are being targeted at the institution and its heads.
The press meet was attended by several prominent personalities including Tungappa Banger, Praveen Kadabettoor, Subhashchandra Jain, Prabhakar Prabhu, Vasanth Manihall, Suresh Kulal, Shekar Samani, Purushottam Majalu, Naveenchandra Shetty, Ronald D’Souza, Sadananda Navara, Jayakeerthi Jain, Jayachandra Bolmar, among others.