{"id":6079,"date":"2025-10-26T13:17:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-26T07:47:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=6079"},"modified":"2025-10-26T13:17:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-26T07:47:25","slug":"womens-alliance-demands-justice-in-dharmasthala-who-killed-the-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=6079","title":{"rendered":"Women\u2019s Alliance Demands Justice in Dharmasthala: \u201cWho Killed the Women?\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Women\u2019s Alliance Urges Karnataka CM for Full Justice in Dharmasthala Crimes Against Women<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

All-India Feminist Alliance calls for independent and expanded SIT probe into decades of sexual violence and mysterious deaths; demands government accountability and protection for victims\u2019 families.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Bengaluru | October 25, 2025:\u00a0<\/strong>In a strongly worded open letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah<\/strong>, the All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA)<\/strong> \u2014 affiliated with the National Alliance of People\u2019s Movements (NAPM)<\/strong> \u2014 has demanded a fair, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into what it termed \u201cdecades of horrific crimes\u201d against women in Dharmasthala<\/strong>, Dakshina Kannada district.<\/p>\n

The collective of more than 40 prominent feminists, academics, lawyers, and social activists from across India called upon the government to \u201cdismantle the structures of patriarchy and impunity\u201d and ensure that all those responsible \u2014 including those who may have enabled or covered up the crimes \u2014 are brought to justice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe women of Karnataka and the women of India deserve to know the truth: Who raped and murdered women in Dharmasthala?\u201d the letter stated. \u201cThose responsible must be punished, and those who protected them must also be held legally accountable.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Call for Expanding the SIT Probe<\/h3>\n

The signatories acknowledged the government\u2019s decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT)<\/strong> in July 2025<\/strong>, following reports of alleged \u201cmass burials\u201d in Dharmasthala. However, they emphasized that the probe must not be limited to this incident alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiven the scale and span of atrocities over many years, the SIT needs more time, resources, and independence,\u201d the statement read. \u201cIts scope should formally expand beyond the \u2018mass burial\u2019 case to include all unresolved crimes in Dharmasthala.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The alliance expressed concern that the investigation might face external interference and called on the Chief Minister to personally oversee the SIT\u2019s work to ensure impartiality and thoroughness.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe women of Karnataka and the women of India deserve to know the truth \u2014 who raped and murdered women in Dharmasthala?\u201d NAPM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A Decades-long Pattern of Violence<\/h3>\n

The Dharmasthala region, revered as a spiritual and cultural center, has in recent months come under scrutiny following renewed public attention to alleged cases of sexual violence, disappearances, and unnatural deaths of women<\/strong> spanning several decades.<\/p>\n

The campaign \u201cKondavaru Yaaru? (Who Killed Women in Dharmasthala?)\u201d<\/strong>, launched earlier this year by women\u2019s rights activists, has been at the forefront of demanding justice. In August, a delegation from the campaign met the Chief Minister, submitting a 10-point charter of demands<\/strong> that included ensuring the independence of the SIT.<\/p>\n

Earlier, in September, the group had also written to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi<\/strong>, seeking a transparent and fair probe.<\/p>\n

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Media Updates: +91-93531 21474 [WhatsApp] | indianowme@gmail.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Citing Previous Reports and Legal Orders<\/h3>\n

ALIFA\u2019s statement pointed to the 2018 report of the High Power Committee<\/strong> headed by former legislator V.S. Ugrappa<\/strong>, which had already mentioned the mysterious deaths of women in Dharmasthala and recommended preventive and corrective measures. While the current government has implemented several of these recommendations, the alliance urged it to take stronger action to deliver long-delayed justice.<\/p>\n

They also referred to the Special CBI Court order dated June 16, 2023<\/strong>, and the Karnataka High Court order dated September 13, 2024<\/strong>, in the Soujanya case<\/strong>, calling for accountability and disciplinary action against officials who failed to conduct fair investigations.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccountability must be fixed for gross negligence that has perpetuated this state of injustice,\u201d ALIFA asserted.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Protection for Victims\u2019 Families and Witnesses<\/h3>\n

The letter also underscored the need for safety and anonymity of witnesses and complainants<\/strong>, as some victim families have recently filed complaints before the SIT. It urged the state government to provide compensation and rehabilitation<\/strong> to the affected families and to involve independent women\u2019s rights activists<\/strong> in supporting the investigation process.<\/p>\n

The alliance further stressed the importance of long-term institutional and educational reforms<\/strong> to combat gendered violence, especially in religious institutions that \u201coperate under the cover of secrecy and sanctity.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cA Litmus Test for Karnataka Government\u201d<\/h3>\n

In a sharp reminder to the ruling dispensation, ALIFA said the Dharmasthala case would be a \u201clitmus test\u201d<\/strong> for the government\u2019s commitment to constitutional values and women\u2019s rights.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Karnataka government, elected with a promise to uphold the spirit of the Constitution, now faces a defining test,\u201d the letter concluded. \u201cWomen across India will be watching your government\u2019s actions and decisions.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Signatories<\/h3>\n

The appeal was signed by 41 prominent feminists and human rights activists<\/strong>, including Arundhati Ghosh<\/strong>, Jarjum Ete<\/strong>, Laxmi Murthy<\/strong>, Dr. Preeti Edakunny<\/strong>, Radhika Desai<\/strong>, Adv. Shalu Nigam<\/strong>, Meena Saraswathi Seshu<\/strong>, Anuradha Talwar<\/strong>, J. Devika<\/strong>, Arundhati Dhuru<\/strong>, Sumi Das<\/strong>, and others representing diverse regions and movements across India.<\/p>\n

They expressed full solidarity with the \u201cKondavaru Yaaru?\u201d Campaign<\/strong>, which plans statewide awareness programs through November, culminating in a major public meeting on Human Rights Day, December 10<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udcac Key Quotes<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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\u201cThe women of Karnataka and the women of India deserve to know the truth \u2014 who raped and murdered women in Dharmasthala?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cJustice delayed is not merely justice denied \u2014 it is justice buried.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cNo shrine, no seat of power, no person should be above the law.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cThis is not just a local crime. It is a national wound that demands healing through truth and accountability.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cThe SIT must be free, fearless, and fully independent \u2014 justice cannot survive under influence.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cKarnataka\u2019s commitment to the Constitution will be tested in how it handles the Dharmasthala investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cWe are not seeking revenge. We are seeking truth, dignity, and justice for women who were silenced.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cPatriarchy protects the guilty; sisterhood seeks justice.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u2753Key Q&A Section<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Q: What is the Dharmasthala issue about?<\/strong>
A:<\/strong> Activists allege decades of sexual violence, disappearances, and unnatural deaths of women in Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada. The matter gained national attention after reports of \u201cmass burials\u201d emerged earlier this year.<\/p>\n

Q: What are the main demands of the All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA)?<\/strong>
A:<\/strong> ALIFA is demanding that the SIT probe be expanded beyond the mass burial case to include all unresolved crimes, ensure independence from external pressures, protect witnesses, and take legal action against officials who failed in earlier investigations.<\/p>\n

Q: Why is this case being called a \u2018litmus test\u2019?<\/strong>
A:<\/strong> The alliance says that since the current government was elected on the promise of upholding the Constitution, its handling of the Dharmasthala investigation will reveal its real commitment to justice and gender equality.<\/p>\n

Q: What actions have already been taken by the government?<\/strong>
A:<\/strong> The Karnataka government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in July 2025 and has started implementing recommendations from a 2018 high-power committee report on preventing crimes against women.<\/p>\n

Q: What\u2019s next for the campaign?<\/strong>
A:<\/strong> The \u201cKondavaru Yaaru?\u201d campaign will hold statewide events through November, culminating in a large public meeting on Human Rights Day, December 10, to demand justice and accountability.<\/p>\n

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#DharmasthalaJustice #Karnataka #ALIFA #NAPM #WhoKilledWomen #AccountabilityNow<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Women\u2019s Alliance Urges Karnataka CM for Full Justice in Dharmasthala Crimes Against Women All-India Feminist Alliance calls for independent and expanded SIT probe into decades of sexual violence and mysterious deaths; demands government accountability and protection for victims\u2019 families. Bengaluru | October 25, 2025:\u00a0In a strongly worded open letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6081,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[1352,1103,1105,74,82,1353],"class_list":["post-6079","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-karnataka","tag-dharmadhikari","tag-dharmasthala","tag-dharmasthala-temple","tag-karnataka","tag-siddaramaiah","tag-1353"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6079","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6079"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6079\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6083,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6079\/revisions\/6083"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6081"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6079"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6079"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6079"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}