BJP held a rally at Dharmasthala and demanded a central inquiry into the allegations of murders and burial of dead bodies, know the whole matter:

News Topical, Digital Desk : Karnataka's main opposition party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday held a rally at Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district demanding a central agency probe into allegations of multiple murders, rapes and forced burials in the town. According to the BJP, nearly one lakh people from across Karnataka participated in the protest. According to the party, it was a show of solidarity against the 'attempt to defame the temple and its traditions' of Dharmasthala.

These leaders attended the rally

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, former Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, MPs and other senior leaders attended the rally titled 'Dharmasthala Chalo'.

Investigation should be handed over to CBI and NIA

Addressing the rally, Vijayendra urged the Centre to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He accused the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of "failing to provide justice" to the Hindu community. He also referred to the long-pending case of a young woman who went missing in 2003 and reiterated the party's support to get justice to her family.

SIT is currently investigating this matter

BJP leaders said the rally was aimed at countering the "campaign to defame" one of Karnataka's most prominent religious and cultural centres. The Congress government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations. However, the BJP says only a central agency can ensure a transparent probe. Earlier in the day, Vijayendra and Ashoka, along with a delegation of BJP leaders, visited the Manjunatha temple and offered prayers. They also met the temple's Dharmadhikari Veerendra Hegde.

Know what is this matter?

Let us tell you that this controversy started when a complainant named N Chinnaiya alleged that dozens of bodies - including the bodies of women with marks of sexual assault - have been buried in the shrine in the last two decades. Chinnaiya has been arrested on charges of giving false testimony.