The Hindu Bureau | Mangaluru | Oct 04, 2025:: National general secretary (organisation) of the BJP B.L. Santhosh said on Friday that the ongoing slander against Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara temple (in Karnataka) and its administrators is not just an attack on an institution or an individual, but an ideological attack on the “faith and belief” of the Hindu religion.

The Leftists and other political forces are behind this attack, Mr. Santhosh alleged, urging party workers to face all ideological attacks against Hindu places of worship boldly.

He was speaking after laying the foundation stone of the new building of the Udupi district office of the party and inaugurating the workers’ conference at Gundibai in Udupi.

“Udupi Krishna Mutt was targeted sometime ago. Other temples may be the next target. Because the tiger has tasted the blood,” he said.

“Those who did wrong should be punished. There is no question about it. Different governments have ruled in the past 15 to 16 years. Not just the BJP. Yet the attack (against Dharmasthala) is going on,” he said.

Mr. Santhosh said that ideological forces had “tasted the blood” by targeting Sabarimala temple, Isha Foundation Ashram and Shani Shingnapur too. “Not only the faith and beliefs of Hindus, but also cow, the family system and values are being targeted and disputed,” he said. There was continuous propaganda against the Kumbh Mela, he alleged.

“We are facing a challenge. But our society is strong. We will give a tangible reply to the challenge posed to the country and culture,” he said.

The BJP leader said that Udupi district was a model for the qualities of organisation, activists, and leaders. “Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts are behind Uttara Kannada district in all the others, except winning,” he said.

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Member of Parliament Kota Srinivasa Poojary MLAs V. Sunil Kumar, Yashpal Suvarna, Gurme Suresh Shetty, Kiran Kodgi, Gururaj Gantihole were present.
…
Courtesy: The Hindu.