In a powerful display of solidarity and demand for accountability, various women's organisations in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district organised a silent march and a major convention on Tuesday. The events, held under the banner of the 'Kondavaru Yaru' (Who Killed the Women of Dharmasthala?) campaign, spotlighted a series of alleged rape and murder cases in and around Dharmasthala village that remain shrouded in mystery.
A Silent March for Unanswered Questions
The day of action began with a silent march in Belthangady, culminating in a 'Mahila Nyaya Samavesha' or Women's Justice Convention. The core demand from the gathering was unequivocal: a thorough and transparent investigation into the unsolved cases and the immediate arrest of those responsible. The protestors expressed deep frustration over the perceived inaction and lack of answers from the investigating authorities.
Speaking at the convention, activist Mallige Sirimane pointedly addressed the central dilemma. She stated that while rape and murder have demonstrably occurred, the failure to identify the accused forces society to confront the haunting question, "If crimes have occurred, then who killed them?" She firmly asserted that the collective struggle would persist until the perpetrators are legally prosecuted and punished.
Activists Question Systemic Failures
The convention became a platform to highlight a pattern of unresolved violence against women in the region. Senior women's rights advocate Jyothi drew a timeline of suffering, referencing cases from Vedavalli to Soujanya, where women were victims of rape, murder, and severe violence, yet the accused remain at large. She critically questioned the system, asking why, unlike in high-profile cases such as Nirbhaya, the offenders in these instances have never been traced.
"This continued failure to identify the accused gives rise to serious doubts about the investigation process itself," Jyothi emphasised. Her sentiment echoed the growing public concern over whether these cases are receiving the urgency and resources they warrant.
Echoing the emotional weight of the issue, senior writer Rohini described the land as "echoing with the cries of women in pain." She said the gathering was a unified stand to amplify those cries and demand justice on their behalf.
A Non-Political Movement for Justice
Clarifying the intent of the mobilization, Dr. Sunandamma, President of the Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha, stressed that the movement was not politically motivated. She framed the act of speaking up for women's rights and safety as an unavoidable necessity in the current climate. Shashikala Shetty from Mangaluru reinforced the long-term commitment, stating that the day's events marked not an end, but a beginning of a sustained campaign that will continue until justice is delivered.
Activist Prasanna Ravi added an institutional critique, noting that such grave incidents of violence against women should have been discussed in the state legislative assembly but were conspicuously absent from its agenda.
Following the convention, the participants formalised their demands by submitting a memorandum to the government through the local tahsildar. In a significant move, they also visited the Special Investigation Team (SIT) office to personally urge the authorities to conduct a comprehensive probe into all the pending cases, strictly in accordance with official guidelines.
