Kota Srinivas Poojary seeks ED probe into alleged foreign funding to ‘defame’ Dharmasthala

Kota Srinivas Poojary seeks ED probe into alleged foreign funding to ‘defame’ Dharmasthala

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Aug 20, 2025: Kota Srinivas Poojary, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP, on Tuesday urged the Central government to order an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into alleged foreign funding for, what he called, an international conspiracy to defame Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara temple.

In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mr. Poojary said the probe should look into alleged foreign funding to some individuals, including YouTubers, who have been ‘harming’ Hindu religious beliefs. He said: “Meanwhile news has spread that a Muslim YouTuber and his associates, who are attempting to defame the temple, have received foreign funds, and this is how some individuals have declared war on the temple”.

Mr. Poojary in his letter said: “As widely reported across the country, a group opposing the temple in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka has attempted to tarnish its sanctity. The State’s Deputy Chief Minister has publicly stated that a conspiracy is afoot against the temple.”

The MP further said the Minister in charge of Dakshina Kannada informed the media that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed at the request of Left-wing groups. 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly formed the SIT based on the words of an anonymous accuser and the entire government appears to have surrendered to this accuser, he said. “They are digging trenches indiscriminately, even at the base of the revered Hindu deity Bahubali, unsettling devotees. Media outlets have reported that a politician from Tamil Nadu is pressuring the Congress high command to orchestrate a plan to undermine the faith of Hindus in Karnataka.”

Mr. Poojary said: “Therefore, I request that you consider my letter seriously and order an ED inquiry into the foreign financial assistance received by those opposing the temple.”