India uproars over alleged 'Mass Graves' at Dharmasthala temple

Explosive claims of mass graves in the sacred grounds of Dharmasthala temple in Karnataka have triggered shock and outrage across India. A former sanitation worker has alleged that the bodies of hundreds of women and children—many reportedly victims of rape and murder—were buried or burned within the temple premises over a span of nearly two decades.

The revelations, first reported by India Today, are based on the testimony of a former cleaner who claims to have been forced to dispose of the bodies between 1998 and 2014. He alleged that many of the corpses bore signs of sexual violence and physical assault.

According to the report, the worker said the victims were either secretly buried or cremated, often without any official record.

Following the release of the report, public outrage has swept through civil society. Human rights activists, lawyers, and women’s organizations have called for a full-scale investigation into the allegations. The Karnataka State Women’s Commission has also taken note of the claims, urging the government to initiate an impartial probe.

On July 3, the whistleblower approached the Dharmasthala police station to file a formal complaint. His statement has also led to renewed scrutiny of a previously unresolved 2012 rape and murder case from the area.

Civil society groups have alleged that elements within the temple administration could be complicit, and they are demanding accountability from those in positions of power. Dharmasthala, located near the banks of the Netravati River, is one of Karnataka’s most revered pilgrimage sites, attracting thousands of devotees daily, including political leaders and celebrities.

The political response has been mixed. The opposition has seized on the allegations, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sought to play down the controversy. Former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader B.S. Yediyurappa dismissed the allegations as a “conspiracy” but added, “If an investigation is needed, let it happen. We have nothing to hide.”