Mega Dharma Jagruthi Yatre by members of cooperatives on September 14

Members of cooperatives across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts will hold a mega Dharma Jagruthi Yatre on September 14, condemning the alleged conspiracy to malign Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala and demanding a high-level probe to bring the culprits to book, said South Canara District Central Cooperative (SCDCC) Bank president M.N. Rajendra Kumar on Monday.

Speaking at a preparatory meeting for the proposed yatre at the bank headquarters here, Mr. Kumar said the alleged conspiracy against Dharmasthala had yet to be fully exposed. Hence, the yatre would be attended by members of over 1,500 cooperatives in the twin districts. They would be aboard more than 3,000 vehicles going from Ujire to Dharmasthala. The yatre seeks to send a clear message to perpetrators of the maligning campaign against any religious institution. Therefore, everyone, irrespective of religion and political affiliation, should participate in the yatre, Mr. Kumar urged.

Former president of Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (CAMPCO) Ltd., R. Satishchandra, said that the yatre was aimed at exposing hidden forces behind the maligning campaign. Campco president A. Kishore Kumar Kodgi said the alleged campaign against Dharmasthala was aimed at attacking the spiritual sentiments of people. Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Union president Raviraj Hegde said if the conspiracy against Dharmasthala was not opposed, many such campaigns could be taken up against other religious institutions.

Karnataka Milk Federation director Belapu Deviprasad Shetty, SCDCC Bank vice-president Vinay Kumar Soorinje, its directors, DK Cooperative Union president Shashikumar Rai Byalottu and others spoke.

Mr. Rajendra Kumar said members of cooperatives would assemble at Ujire at noon on September 14 and proceed to Dharmasthala.