Dharmasthala Crimes: RSS (Sangh Parivar) wants truth to prevail, supports SIT probe

Bengaluru 

Since the formation of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has, for the first time, broken its silence in connection with the Dharmasthala mass burial case. One of the top veteran RSS leaders of Southern India, speaking to blrpost.com, said, “The Sangh Parivar wants the truth to come out, and in that direction, we welcome the SIT probe launched by the State government.”

In a show of rare bonhomie, the RSS appears to be on the same page as the government with regard to the SIT. However, the leader said, “The probe must be seen in the scope of providing justice to the dead, and allegations must not be attached to the Manjunatha Swamy Temple.” He further stressed that the Manjunatha Swamy Temple is independent of any existing administration, adding, “lord Shiva cannot be owned by any person. This temple is the religious centre of Hindus and only Hindus.”

The leader said the allegations of mass burials are grave and that everyone has the right to know the truth about what has been happening in Dharmasthala village. The RSS has confidence in the SIT. He also noted that, so far, no YouTuber has spoken against the temple and that their arguments have been limited to the alleged crimes happening in and around the village.

The veteran leader, who has toiled for the Sangh ideology for several decades, said some BJP leaders should issue statements cautiously, as the matter is still under investigation. While the RSS does not want to openly talk about the issue, it has taken a very clear stand: the truth—whatever it may be—must come out in the open, and the SIT should not buckle under any pressure.

It may be recalled that the State government constituted the SIT after a former sanitation worker of the Dharmasthala Temple Administration filed a complaint with the local police station on July 3. The complainant alleged that he was forced to bury hundreds of bodies. The SIT is currently carrying out exhumation operations.

Donate for fearless journalism