Beltangady: False allegations will not deter Dharmasthala Kshetra - Dr Heggade

Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady

Beltangady, Oct 17: "Constant attempts to tarnish the image of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala through false propaganda will not discourage the Kshetra from carrying out its activities. Our inspiration to serve and self-esteem remain intact, though we are hurt by the allegations (made by rape and murder victim Sowjanya's parents). With the support of devotees and blessings of Sri Manjunatha Swamy, I will work on expanding the activities of the Kshetra," said Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade.

He addressed the gathering during a convention of Dharmasthala devotees held at Sri Rathna Varma ground in Ujire here on Wednesday October 16. The convention was held close on the heels of a TV interview in which parents of Sowjanya, who was found raped and murdered a year ago near Dharmasthala, and Hindu leader Mahesh Thimarodi had alleged Dr Heggade's family's involvement in the case. Dr Heggade later called a press meet to refute the charges.

He further said, "I am neither into rowdyism nor oppression. Making false allegations on people who are truthful, respectful and religious is as good as killing them. In Sowjanya murder case, I have tried everything possible to get justice for the family and even now, I demand CBI investigation into the case.

"If proper investigation was not done for a year, then it is the fault of the police department and not mine. Sowjanya was the daughter of our village and I have taken appropriate steps whenever necessary to try and seek justice for her," said Heggade stating that he has not done any work for gaining publicity or to break the society.

Final statement on Sowjanya case

"Through Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), we have been able to reach 26 lac families and helped them prosper, thus bringing positive changes in their lives. Poverty rate today is much lower compared to 30 years ago. The government's role in achieving this feat is prominent but the awareness among people on government projects is created by us. Through Rudset, we have helped lacs of people become self-employed," he said.

"Most of the educational institutions are under SDM institution. In one year, we have spent Rs 50 crore to build a hospital and a PG college in Ujire. Despite doing so much for society, we were insulted," said Heggade.

"People have asked what Veerendra Heggade has done. It is not an achievement to close a criminal case and I have not made any such attempt. I am tired of giving statements in connection to Sowjanya’s case and hence, I will not do so in future. This is my last statement on the case. Government should conduct a detailed investigation and bring out the truth," he demanded.

Government will back Dr Heggade - Sorake

Urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said, "We will not allow the investigation to falter and take a wrong direction. Moral policing in state should stop. Government will back action that would put an end to attempts being made to tarnish Dr Heggade’s image."

He added, "Sadananda Gowda, Nalin Kumar Kateel and I, along with some others, visited Sowjanya’s house. We have demanded  a thorough investigation. As people's trust in the local police has gone down, we handed over the case to CID and now attempts are being made to create a wrong notion about the case."

SCDCC bank president M N Rajendra Kumar said Dr Heggade has helped everyone to prosper. "Dr Heggade was the inspiration behind setting up Navodaya self-help groups," he said.

Youth affairs and fisheries minister Abhaychandra Jain, health minister U T Khadar, Kundapur former MLA Apanna Hegde, Dr M Mohan Alva of Alva’s Education Trust, district BJP president Pratap Simha Nayak also spoke on the occasion.

Karnataka Sahitya Parishat president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, D Harshendra Kumar, D Rajendra Kumar, writer Erya Laxminarayan Alva, block Congress president Harish Kumar, MUDA former president Sadanand Punja, Ujire temple head U Vijayaraghava, former MLA Rukmaya Poojary, Akhila Karnataka Janajagruti Vedike president Devadas Hebbar, Dr B Yashovarma, Dr L H Manjunath among others shared the dais.

Close to a thousand people from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts flocked to the convention.

• Allegations aimed at maligning Dharmasthala, says a hurt Dr Heggade
• Dharmasthala people condemn allegations against Dr Heggade's family
• Beltangady: Thimarodi, Sowjanya's parents get grand welcome; CID steps up probe
• Beltangady: My nephew has nothing to do with Sowjanya case - Dr Veerendra Heggade
• Mangalore: Powerful people involved in Sowjanya murder case: Thimarodi
• Mangalore: Sowjanya case - Organizations join hands to demand CBI probe
• Bangalore: Home minister orders fresh CID probe into Sowjanya murder case 
• Beltangady: Sowjanya was Murdered at a Different Spot, Claim Family Members
• Beltangady: Sowjanya Murder - CoD Team Arrives, Begins Probe
• Mangalore: Sri Rama Sene Calls for CBI Probe into Sowjanya Case
• Beltangady: Sowjanya Murder Case Handed over to CoD
• Mangalore: HJV Condemns Dharmasthala GP's Statement Against Kemar Swamiji
• Beltangady Murders - Dr Heggade Calls for Probe, Slams Rumours
• Beltangady: 'Vested Interests Using Sowjanya Case for Publicity'
• Sowjanya Case: MLA Appeals People to Stop Spreading Rumour SMS
• Sowjanya Murder: Kemar Swamiji Calls for Fresh Probe, to File PIL in HC
• Beltangady: Sowjanya Murder Case - Family Demands CoD Probe
• Beltangady: Silent Protest Held Demanding Justice in Sowjanya Murder Case
• Beltangady: Mentally Ill Santhosh Raped, Killed Sowjanya - SP
• Udupi: Students Led by ABVP Condemn Sowjanya's Murder
• Sowjanya Murder - One Arrested, Locals Demand Police to Hand him over
• Beltangady: Sowjanya Murder - Angry Students, Citizens Demand Justice
• Belthangady: 17-year-old Girl Raped, Brutally Killed