Karnataka saw statewide protests as pro-Hindu activists, BJP supporters, and Dharmasthala devotees rallied against what they called derogatory remarks and misinformation targeting the revered temple amid the ongoing mass burial case probe.
In Chikkamagaluru, more than 2,000 devotees marched two kilometres from the Taluk Office to Azad Park, singing hymns and beating drums, with hundreds of women condemning what they described as a conspiracy to malign Dharmasthala.
In Koppal, thousands of women and even a differently-abled Muslim man in a wheelchair joined the rally from Ishwar Park to the DC’s office. Several Muslim women participated, demanding strict action against those spreading false propaganda.
In Yadgir, the Dharmasthala Devotees Forum led a march to the DC’s office, naming Girish Mattannavar, Mahesh Thimmaroddi, and YouTuber Sameer in their demands for action over alleged defamation of the shrine.
In Mysuru, thousands of women devotees rallied in support of Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade, calling for transparency in the SIT probe, protection of Hindu temples, and punishment for those tarnishing Dharmasthala’s image.
In Kalaburagi, Hindu and Kannada groups—joined by former BJP MLA Dattatreya Patil—marched after garlanding the Basavanna statue, urging action against “fake YouTubers” and others damaging the temple’s reputation.
Across districts, memorandums were submitted to Deputy Commissioners declaring, “We stand with Dharmasthala and its Dharmadhikari.”
Meanwhile, in the mass burial case investigation, a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scan at Point No. 13 detected no human remains after 40 minutes. Authorities then deployed heavy machinery for excavation, suspecting that old dam construction soil may be concealing the site. Water seepage pumps were also set up as digging continued.
