The Sri Dharmasthala Devotees’ Forum recently held a protest rally in Madikeri, demanding that the police department take appropriate legal action against those spreading propaganda about Sri Dharmasthala. They alleged that continuous efforts are being made to tarnish the name of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala and the Dharmadhikari, Dr. D. Virendra Heggade.
The protesters took out a rally from Gandhi Maidan, Madikeri, to the Deputy Commissioner’s Office and submitted an appeal to the DC, demanding that the propaganda against Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala be stopped immediately. They stated that in recent months, baseless allegations on social media have hurt the sentiments of devotees and are creating communal divisions and unrest in society.
At a public meeting at Gandhi Maidan, the convener of the Sri Dharmasthala Devotees’ Forum, Agolikaje Dhananjaya, welcomed the SIT investigation into the Dharmasthala case, saying that the truth should emerge through the inquiry. He asserted that devotees will never tolerate attempts to tarnish the Kshetra or the Dharmadhikari.
He expressed concern over ongoing attacks on Hindu religious centres through social media and alleged that falsehoods are being repeatedly circulated in an attempt to make them appear true. He highlighted that Dr. D. Virendra Heggade has undertaken numerous public welfare projects across the country, working across communities to promote women’s self-reliance, uplift the poor, and advance educational institutions. He warned that devotees will unite in an organized and powerful manner against attempts to malign Dharmasthala.
Former district president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, K.S. Devaiah, urged Hindus not to believe the propaganda against Hindu religious centres. President of the Kodagu District Divine Dancers and Divine Worshippers Association, P.M. Ravi, noted that propaganda against Dharmasthala Kshetra has been ongoing for years and said that the time has come for devotees to rise.
District convener of the Sri Dharmasthala Bhakta Abhimani Vedike, A.T. Rangaswamy, said that those trying to tarnish Sri Dharmasthala Kshetra, which has a history of over 800 years, should be punished. He warned that the public outcry beginning in Madikeri will spread to all 31 districts of the state. He accused the perpetrators of attempting to divide society and inflame religious sentiments by circulating defamatory videos on social media.
He demanded that the bank accounts of the accused be investigated and that their mobile phones and homes be searched to uncover the truth. He called for the formation of an investigation team and action to prevent the spread of false news in the mass media.
Leaders of the Devotees’ Forum, including T.M. Ayyappa, Pundarikaksha, and Rajashekar Satish, along with a large number of devotees, participated in the protest and submitted memorandum to the Kodagu Deputy Commissioner.
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