Sat Sep 13 13:20:01 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article based on it:
**Summary:**
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi held a press conference in Hubballi, India, alleging a conspiracy by members of the Congress government in the state to cover up the Dharmasthala episode. He criticized the Special Investigation Team’s handling of the case, claiming key suspects named by a “masked man” remain unarrested, potentially to protect higher-ups within the government. Joshi also addressed communal tensions, accusing Congress of appeasing Muslims and questioning restrictions on Hindu festivals while ignoring loudspeakers during the Muslim call to prayer (azan). He also called for the government to enumerate castes within the Muslim community in the upcoming socio-economic survey.
**News Article:**
**Union Minister Accuses Congress of Conspiracy in Dharmasthala Case**
**HUBBALLI, INDIA – September 13, 2025** – Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi ignited a political firestorm on Saturday, accusing the ruling Congress government in Karnataka of orchestrating a cover-up in the ongoing Dharmasthala episode investigation.
Speaking at a press conference in Hubballi, Joshi stated that individuals implicated by a key witness, identified only as a “masked man,” have yet to be arrested, raising concerns about political interference. “The masked man has provided names and details, yet no action has been taken. This suggests a deliberate attempt to shield individuals connected to the Congress government,” Joshi alleged.
He further criticized the state government’s handling of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), claiming they prematurely exhumed evidence without proper authorization. Joshi suggested the SIT investigation may be compromised to protect members of the Congress government. “The SIT arrested them and investigates further, in all probability the names of some in the Congress government will crop up. So the government is trying to cover up the whole issue. It may not be surprising if the masked man is declared mentally unstable and the investigation is wound up.”
Beyond the Dharmasthala case, Joshi addressed rising communal tensions in the state. He accused the Congress party of “appeasement politics” towards the Muslim community, alleging this was the root cause of recent communal violence. He questioned the government’s strict enforcement of noise restrictions during Hindu festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, while seemingly turning a blind eye to early morning “azan” broadcasts from mosques. “Do they have separate rules for Hindus and Muslims?” he asked.
The Minister also weighed in on the upcoming caste census, demanding that the government include a detailed enumeration of castes within the Muslim community.
Joshi reiterated his previous call for a court-monitored inquiry into the Dharmasthala case, leaving open the possibility of an NIA investigation should evidence of terror links emerge. He was joined at the press conference by MLA Mahesh Tenginakai and Mayor Jyoti Patil.
First Piper 