Mangaluru – Former MP and senior Congress leader Janardhana Poojary has voiced strong support for Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade, questioning why the ongoing SIT investigation into alleged mass burials is focusing solely on Dharmasthala.
Speaking at the Muddukrishna programme in Thokkottu near Ullal on Saturday, an emotional Poojary asked, “Are burials not done in mosques and churches? Why single out Dharmasthala?” He said the entire Kudroli Temple stands with Dr Heggade, adding that even if the SIT searched every corner of the temple town, “they will find nothing,” as burying the dead within temple premises is an age-old tradition.
Poojary stressed that Dharmasthala holds sacred significance for Jains and people of all communities, warning, “No one can destroy Dharmasthala.” Criticising Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, he said, “The name of Dharmasthala is being dragged through the mud. I will not allow it.”
He also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remarking, “If PM Modi had courage, he could have come to Dharmasthala and spoken when he was in Karnataka.”
The SIT has been conducting intensive searches in Dharmasthala following anonymous allegations, but so far no evidence of mass burials has been found.