Pramod Muthalik Demands Arrest of Prakash Raj Over Alleged Dharmasthala Conspiracy

Sri Rama Sene founder alleges actor’s involvement in a plot to malign a religious shrine, seeking a formal industry-wide boycott.

Belagavi witnessed a sharp escalation in communal tensions this Friday as Sri Rama Sene founder Pramod Muthalik launched a scathing attack on multi-lingual actor Prakash Raj. Addressing a press conference, Muthalik demanded the immediate arrest of the actor, citing claims made by an individual identified as 'Burude' Chennayya, who is currently in custody in connection with the Dharmasthala case.

According to Muthalik, the internal testimony of the accused links the actor to a sophisticated conspiracy aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Dharmasthala religious site. The allegations suggest that a woman named Sujata Bhat was used as a pawn in this scheme. Muthalik claimed that the accused were pressured to provide false testimony regarding the kidnapping and murder of Sujata’s daughter, Ananya Bhat, with the actor allegedly acting as a primary orchestrator backed by substantial foreign funding.

The accusations extend beyond mere allegations of a cover-up. Muthalik claimed that approximately ₹200 crore was routed from Kerala to fuel this alleged destabilization campaign. While these are serious claims, they remain at the stage of external accusation, with the Sri Rama Sene chief calling for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe to verify the financial trail and the actor's alleged involvement.

Pressure on the Film Industry

The fallout of these allegations is now reaching the gates of the film chambers. Muthalik announced plans to petition the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, along with its counterparts in Tamil Nadu and Telugu cinema, to enforce a complete professional boycott of the actor. The objective, as stated by the Sene, is to ensure that individuals linked to such "conspiracies against Sanatan Dharma" are distanced from the mainstream entertainment industry.

A Wider Pattern of Confrontation

This demand for action is part of a broader, aggressive stance taken by the organization against public figures. During the same briefing, Muthalik turned his ire toward Professor KS Bhagwan, condemning recent remarks made by the academic regarding Lord Ram. Terming the statements as offensive to the Valmiki Ramayana, the Sene has warned of imminent criminal proceedings in the Dharwad court, criticizing the government for its perceived inaction against the professor.

Why it matters: The Bigger Picture

This confrontation highlights the increasingly volatile intersection between high-profile cultural figures and religious sentiment in Karnataka. When allegations of this magnitude are aired publicly, they often transcend simple criminal accusations, evolving into ideological battles that put immense pressure on regulatory bodies like film chambers to take sides. For the industry, this presents a recurring challenge: balancing the professional freedom of its members against the growing demand for social and religious accountability. As the discourse moves from news portals and e-papers to formal legal complaints, the legal system will be under pressure to separate substantive evidence from inflammatory rhetoric, especially when such high stakes and large financial claims—like the alleged ₹200 crore—are involved.