Women’s 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’ families.
Bengaluru | October 25, 2025: In a strongly worded open letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA) — affiliated with the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) — has demanded a fair, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into what it termed “decades of horrific crimes” against women in Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada district.
The collective of more than 40 prominent feminists, academics, lawyers, and social activists from across India called upon the government to “dismantle the structures of patriarchy and impunity” and ensure that all those responsible — including those who may have enabled or covered up the crimes — are brought to justice.
“The women of Karnataka and the women of India deserve to know the truth: Who raped and murdered women in Dharmasthala?” the letter stated. “Those responsible must be punished, and those who protected them must also be held legally accountable.”
ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರನ್ನು ಕೊಂದವರು ಯಾರು? ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲಿ ನೂರಾರು ಜೀವಗಳು ನಾಶವಾದರೂ ಅಪರಾಧಿಗಳು ಇನ್ನೂ ಮುಕ್ತರಾಗಿರುವುದೇಕೆ?
Call for Expanding the SIT Probe
The signatories acknowledged the government’s decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in July 2025, following reports of alleged “mass burials” in Dharmasthala. However, they emphasized that the probe must not be limited to this incident alone.
“Given the scale and span of atrocities over many years, the SIT needs more time, resources, and independence,” the statement read. “Its scope should formally expand beyond the ‘mass burial’ case to include all unresolved crimes in Dharmasthala.”
The alliance expressed concern that the investigation might face external interference and called on the Chief Minister to personally oversee the SIT’s work to ensure impartiality and thoroughness.
A Decades-long Pattern of Violence
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 spanning several decades.
The campaign “Kondavaru Yaaru? (Who Killed Women in Dharmasthala?)”, launched earlier this year by women’s 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 that included ensuring the independence of the SIT.
Earlier, in September, the group had also written to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, seeking a transparent and fair probe.
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Citing Previous Reports and Legal Orders
ALIFA’s statement pointed to the 2018 report of the High Power Committee headed by former legislator V.S. Ugrappa, 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.
They also referred to the Special CBI Court order dated June 16, 2023, and the Karnataka High Court order dated September 13, 2024, in the Soujanya case, calling for accountability and disciplinary action against officials who failed to conduct fair investigations.
“Accountability must be fixed for gross negligence that has perpetuated this state of injustice,” ALIFA asserted.
Protection for Victims’ Families and Witnesses
The letter also underscored the need for safety and anonymity of witnesses and complainants, as some victim families have recently filed complaints before the SIT. It urged the state government to provide compensation and rehabilitation to the affected families and to involve independent women’s rights activists in supporting the investigation process.
The alliance further stressed the importance of long-term institutional and educational reforms to combat gendered violence, especially in religious institutions that “operate under the cover of secrecy and sanctity.”
“A Litmus Test for Karnataka Government”
In a sharp reminder to the ruling dispensation, ALIFA said the Dharmasthala case would be a “litmus test” for the government’s commitment to constitutional values and women’s rights.
“The Karnataka government, elected with a promise to uphold the spirit of the Constitution, now faces a defining test,” the letter concluded. “Women across India will be watching your government’s actions and decisions.”
Signatories
The appeal was signed by 41 prominent feminists and human rights activists, including Arundhati Ghosh, Jarjum Ete, Laxmi Murthy, Dr. Preeti Edakunny, Radhika Desai, Adv. Shalu Nigam, Meena Saraswathi Seshu, Anuradha Talwar, J. Devika, Arundhati Dhuru, Sumi Das, and others representing diverse regions and movements across India.
They expressed full solidarity with the “Kondavaru Yaaru?” Campaign, which plans statewide awareness programs through November, culminating in a major public meeting on Human Rights Day, December 10.
💬 Key Quotes
“The women of Karnataka and the women of India deserve to know the truth — who raped and murdered women in Dharmasthala?”
“Justice delayed is not merely justice denied — it is justice buried.”
“No shrine, no seat of power, no person should be above the law.”
“This is not just a local crime. It is a national wound that demands healing through truth and accountability.”
“The SIT must be free, fearless, and fully independent — justice cannot survive under influence.”
“Karnataka’s commitment to the Constitution will be tested in how it handles the Dharmasthala investigation.”
“We are not seeking revenge. We are seeking truth, dignity, and justice for women who were silenced.”
“Patriarchy protects the guilty; sisterhood seeks justice.”
❓Key Q&A Section
Q: What is the Dharmasthala issue about?
A: Activists allege decades of sexual violence, disappearances, and unnatural deaths of women in Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada. The matter gained national attention after reports of “mass burials” emerged earlier this year.
Q: What are the main demands of the All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA)?
A: 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.
Q: Why is this case being called a ‘litmus test’?
A: 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.
Q: What actions have already been taken by the government?
A: 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.
Q: What’s next for the campaign?
A: The “Kondavaru Yaaru?” campaign will hold statewide events through November, culminating in a large public meeting on Human Rights Day, December 10, to demand justice and accountability.
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