Udupi: A massive protest was held outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Manipal on Thursday, organized by the Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Bhakthabhimani Vedhike, in response to what participants called deliberate attempts to defame the sacred Dharmasthala temple.
MLA Yashpal Suvarna, addressing the gathering, delivered a strong message: “If Hindu Dharma is under attack, there’s no value in merely being alive.” He warned those with “communist ideologies” not to provoke devotees. Emphasizing that the people of Karavali love peace, he cautioned that their patience shouldn’t be tested.
Former MLA Raghupathi Bhat defended Dharmasthala’s inclusive legacy, saying the temple’s social contributions, such as women’s empowerment programs and rural development under Dharmasthala Grama Abhivrudhi Yojana, speak volumes. He condemned the circulation of unverified claims ahead of the SIT report.
Social worker Vasantha Giliyar stressed that justice for Soujanya must be pursued legally but alleged that the cooker bomb blast was a direct attempt to harm Dharmasthala. She demanded transparency from the SIT, urging them to deny any report leaks and take action against media houses spreading falsehoods.
The protest saw hundreds of devotees demanding a thorough probe and swift action against those allegedly spreading baseless allegations regarding “hundreds of buried bodies.” A memorandum was submitted to DC Swaroopa T K, seeking a fair investigation.
Among those present were BJP district president Kutyaru Naveen Shetty, religious leaders, and citizens from diverse political backgrounds—united in defense of Dharmasthala’s sanctity.