Dharmasthala: Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade, in an interview to PTI, strongly dismissed the allegations circulating on social media against him and Dharmasthala, calling them “baseless and false”. He said he was deeply hurt by the accusations and condemned the manner in which social media projected them as “morally wrong.”

Responding to Home Minister G. Parameshwara’s statement in the Assembly that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) would probe the matter, Heggade welcomed the move. “We were open to the SIT from day one. It is good that the State has formed it, so that the truth comes out once and for all. Allegations should not be left hanging,” he said, appealing for a speedy investigation.

Heggade stressed that all records of Dharmasthala are transparent and open for scrutiny. He demanded that the SIT conduct a thorough probe and punish the guilty.

“Organised Campaign” Alleged

He further alleged that Dharmasthala and its trust have been the target of a systematic smear campaign for over 14 years. “Some elements, irked by our social work, spread falsehoods. But we remain unshaken,” he asserted.

Referring to recent viral videos of a masked man alleging bodies were buried in Dharmasthala, Heggade dismissed them outright. “This is impossible. There is a belief that death in Dharmasthala leads to salvation. Every time there is a death, we inform the panchayat, which carries out due diligence before burial,” he clarified.

Social Media Concerns

Expressing dismay over the misuse of social media, he said it was polluting young minds and weakening faith. “Our well-wishers say we have not used social media to highlight our good work. But we consider service to society our duty, not something to publicize,” he remarked, pointing out that Dharmasthala’s initiatives have touched 55 lakh families across villages.

On Soujanya Case

Addressing calls for justice in the Soujanya murder case, Heggade reiterated that Dharmasthala had informed the government on the very day of the incident. “Allegations on our family are false. Family members they accused were studying abroad, and we have produced documents to prove this. These are nothing but vicious campaigns,” he said.