**BJP Stages Protest in Dharwad Over Alleged Plot to Defame Dharmasthala**

Swift Summary

• Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a massive protest in Dharwad on Tuesday, alleging a conspiracy behind a misinformation campaign targeting Dharmasthala.
• The protest march began at Kadapa Maidan and ended at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, with participants raising slogans against alleged involvement by Left organisations and the State government.
• Protestors mocked an earlier incident involving claims of buried bodies near dharmasthala, which were later retracted by the claimant, leading to the formation of a Special Inquiry Team (SIT).
• BJP leaders accused Leftist groups and other entities of being behind efforts to tarnish Dharmasthala’s reputation.
• Demands were made for swift completion and public disclosure of the SIT findings.
• Key participating BJP figures included district unit president Thippanna Majjagi, former MLA Seema Masuti, former Mayors Iresh Anchatageri and Shivu Hiremath, among others.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The protests reflect growing political tensions over allegations surrounding Dharmasthala. the BJP has framed these events as part of a broader conspiracy involving Left organisations and claimed insufficient government action. The repeated calls for openness in releasing SIT findings point to public frustration or distrust that could escalate without clear evidence or resolution from investigations. For India, this highlights challenges in navigating sensitive cultural issues that intertwine religion, governance, and politics. Ensuring impartiality in handling such cases will be crucial to maintaining trust across diverse social groups while preventing misuse of polarizing narratives.

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