Udupi: Special worship services will be conducted at over 25,000 temples and shrines across Karnataka on August 24 to seek justice in the Sowjanya case and to pray for the souls of individuals who allegedly died under suspicious circumstances in the Dharmasthala area. The initiative will also call for strict punishment for the accused involved in cases of rape and murder.
The announcement was made by K. Dinesh Ganiga, representative of the Sowjanya Para Horata Samiti, at a press conference held in Udupi.
A history of alleged incidents
Ganiga alleged that Dharmasthala has witnessed several serious crimes over the past few decades.
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In 1976, teacher Vedavalli was reportedly doused with petrol and murdered.
In 1986, Padmalatha, a student of SDM College, was allegedly raped and murdered.
In 2012, elephants Narayana and Yamuna were killed.
On October 9, 2012, Sowjanya was allegedly raped and murdered, a case that continues to spark widespread outrage.
Citing records, Ganiga claimed that there were 452 unnatural deaths reported in Dharmasthala and Ujire between 2002 and 2012, while 260 unnatural deaths were reported at the Dharmasthala police station between 2015 and 2025.
Questions on accountability
Addressing the media, Ganiga questioned why these incidents had not been addressed despite repeated discussions in the legislative assembly since 1983. He asked, “Didn’t the constituency face slander at that time? Why is there resistance when we seek justice now? Will religion be destroyed if we demand accountability for these crimes?”
Statewide mobilisation
Activists Tamanna Shetty, Sachin Sriyan, and Ambika Prabhu also participated in the press conference, expressing support for the worship initiative. They said the move is aimed at mobilising people across religious and social lines to seek justice for victims and ensure no such incidents are repeated in the future.
The large-scale worship is expected to see participation from thousands of devotees, activists, and concerned citizens across Karnataka.