‘Dharma Jagruti Samavesha’ seeks legal action against those defaming Dharmasthala

‘Dharma Jagruti Samavesha’ seeks legal action against those defaming Dharmasthala

Mangalore Today News Network

Dharmasthala, Sep 6, 2025: The ‘Dharma Jagruti Samavesha’, a convention of leaders of Hindu religious institutions and places of worship in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasaragod (Kerala) districts in Dharmasthala on Friday urged the government to take legal action against those who indulged in slander against Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara temple and its ‘pattadhikari’ D. Veerendra Heggade.

The ‘samavesha’ noted that a national level conspiracy has been hatched to defame Dharmasthala through smear campaign using social media and visual media. The government should prevent such campaign and take tough legal action against institutions and individuals indulging and behind such campaign.

The convention resolved that the government should take action against those who made defamatory statements over other Hindu religious places of worship in Karnataka and thus disturbed peace in society. Action should also be taken against those individuals and institutions which supported them.

The convention decided to extend the scope of Dharma Samrakshana Samithi to State-level, and counter the conspiracies and campaigns targetted against Hindu religious places of worship. It also decided to hold the convention once a year.

It resolved to fight unitedly against targetting Hindu religious beliefs and defaming religious leaders. The leaders expressed their solidarity with the temple and Mr. Heggade during the times of sinister campaign. The convention welcomed the formation of Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the Dharmasthala case.

Speaking at the convention, Mr. Heggade said that “truth” (in Dharmasthala case) is being unfolded now.

Mr. Heggade said that he never aspired to become “pattadhikari” but circumstances following the untimely death of his father (Ratnamvarma Heggade who was the “pattadhikari”) made him to agree. He was a college student then.

“There was opposition and protests then too (when agreed to become “pattadhikari”),” Mr. Heggade said.

Mr. Heggade, who is also Rajya Sabha member, said that he wants to leave a permanent mark through social service and projects helping masses.

M. Mohan Alva, chairman, Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri, B.K. Dhananjaya Rao, an advocate, Lakshminarayana Asranna, hereditary priest of Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple, Vidwan Hiranya Venkatesh Bhat, a Talamadde ‘arthadhari’ spoke. K. Prathapsimha Nayak, MLC, was present.