Tue Sep 02 17:40:34 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in India has launched a preliminary investigation into allegations that foreign funds were used to instigate communal tensions during the ongoing controversy surrounding Dharmasthala. The investigation is focused on identifying entities, including NGOs, suspected of using these funds to fuel the controversy. This development comes amid a large BJP rally protesting the alleged smear campaign against the temple town and demanding a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe. The controversy itself stems from accusations made by a former sanitation worker who claimed to have buried bodies of murdered individuals, including women and minors, on temple grounds. While a state-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) is already investigating the worker’s claims, leading to the discovery of skeletal remains, the ED’s investigation focuses on the financial aspect and potential foreign involvement. Accusations and counter-accusations continue to fly, with a state minister linking some activists involved in the controversy to the RSS and BJP.
**News Article:**
**ED Probes Foreign Funding in Dharmasthala Controversy**
**Bengaluru, September 2, 2025** – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a preliminary investigation into allegations of foreign funding being used to fuel communal conspiracies surrounding the ongoing Dharmasthala controversy. Official sources confirmed the investigation focuses on potential violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the misuse of funds by various entities, including NGOs, suspected of stoking the flames of the controversy.
The move comes amidst heightened tensions surrounding Dharmasthala, a temple town in Dakshina Kannada district. The BJP held a large rally yesterday demanding a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into what they call a smear campaign against the town, and criticizing the Congress government’s handling of the situation.
The controversy was ignited by a former sanitation worker’s claims that he was forced to bury the bodies of numerous murder victims, including women and children showing signs of sexual assault, while working at Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014. These allegations implicated temple administrators. The sanitation worker has since been arrested on charges of perjury.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the State government is currently investigating the claims. Excavations at multiple locations identified by the complainant have yielded skeletal remains at two sites.
The political fallout continues, with Minister Priyank Kharge alleging links between two activists under scrutiny – Girish Mattannavar and Mahesh Shetty Thimarody – and the RSS and BJP. These activists are already facing charges for allegedly creating and circulating videos on social media that disturbed communal harmony and offended public sentiments.
The ED’s investigation will focus on gathering evidence and documents related to all involved parties, with further action to be taken if proof of foreign funding rule violations and illicit use of funds is discovered. The case remains a sensitive and complex issue, with the potential to have far-reaching consequences.
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