Temple town regains calm as SIT rules out murder and rape allegations; political debate over campaign to malign shrines intensifies
Dharmasthala
After nearly three weeks of turmoil triggered by sensational allegations of murder and sexual assault, Dharmasthala has returned to its natural rhythm of devotion and tranquillity. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which examined the claims, found no evidence of the alleged crimes, effectively closing the chapter on a controversy that had cast a shadow over the historic temple town.
Normalcy is visible on the ground once again. Devotees are arriving in large numbers, darshan queues are steady, and the famed Anna Prasadam is being served without disruption. The routine flow of spiritual and cultural life at the centuries-old shrine is back to its pre-crisis state, erasing much of the unease that spread during the initial weeks of the inquiry.
The SIT’s inability to trace any clues about murders or rapes has quelled the frenzy, but it has also fuelled another debate — whether the episode was a deliberate attempt to discredit Hindu religious institutions. Political overtones have now taken centre stage. A legislator in Karnataka has publicly accused a Member of Parliament from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Tamil Nadu of being the alleged mastermind behind what is described as a “malicious campaign” against the temple.
The state government, which has been monitoring the issue closely, has been spooked by these developments, given the sensitivity of Dharmasthala’s cultural and spiritual significance. Leaders across the political spectrum acknowledge that the narrative of leftist and Naxal groups seeking to malign Hindu temples has gained traction, further complicating the matter.
For the temple administration, the focus has shifted back to service and tradition. Officials have emphasised that their priority remains the uninterrupted spiritual experience for lakhs of pilgrims who visit every year. Locals, too, express relief that the cloud of suspicion has lifted, restoring the town’s image as a place of faith and harmony.
While questions about the origins of the allegations remain in the political arena, Dharmasthala itself appears to have decisively moved on, embodying its age-old role as a sanctuary of peace amidst turbulence.