Analytical note — a sharper look at how conspiratorial narratives and manufactured scares around temples and religious institutions are used politically; with a detailed case study from Mangaluru (Dharmasthala) and how it fits a wider pattern.
Introduction
Political movements thrive on stories that simplify, polarise and inflame. Over the last decade, the RSS–BJP ecosystem has repeatedly weaponised religious narratives — not only to mobilise support but to reframe social problems as conspiracies directed at “Hindu civilisation.” The recent flare-up in Mangaluru, where BJP leaders alleged an organised plot by “leftist” and “international” actors to target revered temples like Dharmasthala, is a useful lens to examine the methods, motives and consequences of such tactics. 0
Why this matters
- Conspiracy talk substitutes evidence-based inquiry with simplistic villains and patriotic spectacle.
- It reshapes public priorities: real governance failures recede while manufactured outrages become the political centrepiece.
- It normalises distrust of institutions and of minority communities — which creates long-term social fragmentation.
Case Study — Mangaluru & Dharmasthala: what happened
In July 2025, a whistleblower’s explosive allegations about mass burials in Dharmasthala triggered a statewide probe. Within days, local BJP leaders and allied Hindu organisations framed the episode not as a criminal investigation but as evidence of a deliberate campaign by “leftist” outfits and foreign actors to defame a sacred institution. BJP spokespeople demanded intrusive measures (including narco-tests for complainants) and urged central investigations while painting critics as part of the conspiracy. Critics — including left parties and human rights observers — accused the BJP of seizing the narrative to polarise voters and shield political allies. 1
How the narrative is manufactured — common tactics
- Instant moral framing: Complex allegations are reduced to an attack on “Hindu culture” or “our temples,” converting legal probes into identity threats that demand immediate emotional response rather than patient inquiry. 2
- Accuse the critics: Institutions and investigators are labelled as biased or as pawns of foreign actors — which both delegitimises oversight and rallies bases that distrust mainstream media or courts. 3
- Demand performative remedies: Calls for narco-tests, central probes, public inquiries and “nationwide protests” shift focus from evidence to spectacle; they also raise the political cost of calm, methodical investigation. 4
- Use of associative contagion: Link unrelated incidents across the country (Tirupati, Kashi, Sabarimala, Isha, etc.) into a single “campaign” to manufacture scale and urgency. 5
- Media amplification via partisan networks: Established party channels, sympathiser influencers, and friendly NGOs push the narrative until it dominates search trends and social feeds — drowning out nuanced coverage. 6
How Mangaluru fits a broader pattern
This incident is not anomalous. For years, right-wing campaigns have pushed “reclaiming temples,” questioned historical pluralities, and promoted conspiracy-laden claims that stoke fear of an external or internal enemy. The playbook is consistent: spotlight a symbolic religious site, allege a hidden plot, demand urgent remedial action, and then keep the public agitated until the political objective — consolidation of support, diversion from governance lapses, or legitimising hardline measures — is achieved. 7
Consequences — why this matters beyond politics
- Criminal investigations become hostage to political theatre: When investigations are reframed as conspiracies, witnesses, complainants and investigators face intimidation and delegitimisation. 8
- Communal polarisation escalates: Minorities and dissenting groups are painted as enemies; social trust erodes and local tensions spike into violence in some regions. 9
- Policy distortion: Resources are diverted into performative probes and highly visible “investigations” rather than systemic reform or victim protection.
- Historical memory is rewritten: Repetitive, simplified narratives overwrite complex histories — weakening the public’s ability to reason about plural societies. 10
Safeguards & policy recommendations
If democratic institutions, truth and social cohesion are to be protected, the following steps matter:
- Insist on evidence-first inquiry: Urge tribunals and SITs to publish verified methodologies and interim findings, and protect whistleblowers and witnesses from political pressure.
- Hold political actors accountable for incendiary claims: When leaders make public allegations, they should be required to produce substantiating material or face legal scrutiny for defamation and incitement.
- Strengthen independent local journalism: Support fact-checking units and local reporters who can verify claims before social media magnification.
- Safeguard plural civic spaces: Civil society, universities and faith leaders must resist binary, us-vs-them framings and promote inter-community inquiry.
Conclusion — beyond the headlines
The Mangaluru episode is a warning sign: when political advantage depends on converting social anxiety into tribal identity, truth is the first casualty. The repeated pattern of stoking temple-focused conspiracies — and amplifying them through partisan media ecosystems — achieves short-term mobilisation at the cost of long-run civic health. The antidote is not only sober investigation, but a public that demands facts over fury and institutions that refuse to trade due process for spectacle. 11
Selected reporting and background sources:
- Times of India — Leftists, fundamentalists conspiring against Hindu shrines: BJP. 12
- India Today — Coverage of Dharmasthala mass burial allegations and reactions. 13
- Al Jazeera — In-depth reporting on Dharmasthala and related investigations. 14
- Deutsche Welle — Analysis of “reclaiming temples” campaigns and their societal effects. 15
- Institute for Strategic Dialogue / reporting on disinformation tactics used by Hindu nationalist networks. 16
