Mangaluru: A city-based businessman and devotee of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala has submitted a detailed petition to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Belthangady, alleging that the temple and its Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, are being systematically targeted through coordinated online propaganda.
The petitioner, Surendra Prabhu, accused several YouTube channels, social media handles, and organised groups of spreading defamatory and provocative content for years with the intention of creating a false narrative against Dharmasthala. He urged authorities to treat these activities not merely as defamation but as criminal conspiracy and cyber terrorism.
Allegations of coordinated online targeting
According to the complaint, a large number of online platforms have been simultaneously publishing misleading and one-sided content using identical talking points. These uploads, Prabhu alleged, are artificially boosted to gain traction and widen their reach.
He further claimed that the content was strategically extended beyond Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, before being amplified nationally and internationally through certain digital and television channels.
Prabhu alleged that the operation was not limited to online content creation. “Organised WhatsApp groups and call centre-type operations appear to have been deployed to harass those who challenged the false narrative,” he stated.
‘Narrative terrorism’ and demand for multi-agency probe
Prabhu described the activities as part of what he termed “narrative terrorism”, where misinformation is weaponised to erode faith, divide communities, and destabilise society. He warned that such sustained online attacks could have larger implications for social harmony.
He urged the SIT and allied agencies to probe possible links to illegal funding, money laundering, foreign contributions, and potential financial transactions tied to extremist or terrorist groups.
The petition called for a multi-agency investigation, including financial forensics and digital evidence collection, to identify those responsible and initiate strict legal action.
Copies of the petition have also been forwarded to the Income Tax Central Range Office, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Mangaluru, and the Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police (SP).
SIT revisits Banglegudda in mass burial probe
In a parallel development, the SIT probing the alleged mass burial case revisited Banglegudda on Wednesday as part of its ongoing mahazar (spot inspection) process.
According to SIT sources, skeletal remains were recently found at a location identified by Vittal Gowda, a relative of Sowjanya, whose death had triggered the investigation. The remains have been sent for forensic examination.
SP Simon CA and other senior officers were present during the inspection. SIT officers also questioned Gowda regarding the skull submitted by a complainant-witness, which has been taken as crucial evidence.
Tensions at the investigation site
The SIT’s inspection was briefly interrupted by a heated altercation between a YouTuber, locals, and others present at the spot. Police intervened swiftly to restore order.
Meanwhile, Kerala-based YouTuber Manaf, who was present at the site, remarked that the truth would prevail. “We are all walking on the path of truth. The SIT is conducting a thorough investigation,” he said.
Conclusion
MANGALURU: The twin developments — a petition alleging narrative terrorism against Dharmasthala and the SIT’s continued probe into the Banglegudda mass burial case — have brought renewed focus on the sensitive issue. With allegations of a coordinated digital smear campaign and suspicions of illegal funding, the demand for a comprehensive investigation involving multiple agencies is likely to intensify.