Derogatory comment on B.L. Santhosh is part of urban naxals campaign against Hindu religious places: Harish Poonja

The derogatory comments made by an activist against BJP national general secretary B.L. Santhosh were part of the urban naxals’ campaign to defame Hindu religious places, said Harish Poonja, MLA for Belthangady, on Sunday.

Talking to reporters in Belthangady, Mr. Poonja said derogatory personal comments were being made against Mr. Santhosh for his criticism of a section of activists, who were using the ongoing probe into the mass burial bodies, to defame the Dharmasthala temple.

Mr. Poonja was reacting to comments by Mahesh Shetty Timarody against Mr. Santhosh in his interview with Kudla Rampage online news portal, during a campaign seeking justice for the 2013 rape and murder victim Soujanya.

The MLA said Mr. Santhosh has been among the Swayam Sevaks who have been putting their personal interests aside and fighting for the cause of the country. By speaking ill of Mr. Santhosh, a section of activists has defamed the entire Rashtriya Swayam Sevaks.

Statements hurting religious sentiments of devotees have continued, as the State government has failed to act tough against ‘fictitious reporting’ and ‘derogatory’ comments against the Dharmasthala temple and the revered ‘Annappa’ spirit, in connection with the probe by the Special Investigation Team on the mass burial issue, the MLA said.

Mr. Poonja reiterated the demand for reinvestigation into rape and murder of Soujanya and punishment for the real accused.

The Special CBI Court acquitted the lone accused, Santosh Rao, in 2024 for want of evidence. The Karnataka High Court then turned down the demand for a reinvestigation of the case.