Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has once again landed himself in the middle of a controversy, this time over his statement that the revered Chamundeshwari mandir and Chamundi Hills are not the sole property of Hindus. The remark, made in the backdrop of the upcoming Mysuru Dasara festivities, has triggered outrage across political and religious circles, with Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje and BJP leaders accusing him of insulting Hindus in his desperate attempt to project himself as the next Chief Minister.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Union Minister Karandlaje lashed out at Shivakumar’s statement, calling it “an affront to the faith of millions of Hindus.” She argued that more than 3,500 temples in Karnataka come under Muzrai, and Muzrai property itself signifies Hindu ownership. “When the government manages these temples under Muzrai, how can Shivakumar suddenly claim that they do not belong to Hindus? His words not only distort history but also hurt the very devotees who revere Chamundeshwari as their protector deity,” she said.
Karandlaje further alleged that Shivakumar was “so blinded by his ambition to become Chief Minister” that he was willing to question the sanctity of traditions and sow doubts among Hindus. “He is insulting Hindus in the rush to climb the power ladder. Such leaders have no moral right to remain in government. People with a genuine Hindu mindset will come forward and lead, not those who mock our faith,” she added.
The controversy gained more traction after Shivakumar was accused of pushing appeasement politics by allowing those with no faith in Maa Chamundeshwari to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festivities. The selection of writer Bhanu Mushtaq for an official role has already drawn criticism from several BJP leaders, who see it as part of a larger Congress strategy of sidelining Hindu traditions.
Karandlaje questioned: “If someone does not accept Kannada Naada Habba, if they reject saffron and yellow—the very symbols of Karnataka’s pride—then what message is the Congress government trying to send by making them the face of Mysuru Dasara?” She also took a dig at Minister H.C. Mahadevappa’s claim that Dasara is merely a cultural festival and not a religious one. “When was Dasara reduced to just culture? Navaratri represents the nine incarnations of the Goddess. Mysuru kings celebrated it with grandeur for centuries. Now, Congress wants to erase its religious roots and redefine it for their appeasement politics,” she thundered.
The controversy deepened with BJP leaders suggesting that Congress was systematically trying to undermine Hindu identity. Referring to past incidents where farmers’ lands were declared Waqf property, Karandlaje warned, “Now they say Chamundeshwari Hills are not the property of Hindus. Tomorrow will they call it Waqf land because Tipu Sultan once ruled Mysore? This is a dangerous conspiracy against Hindu society.”
Adding weight to the criticism, Shivamogga BJP MLA Channabasappa also condemned Shivakumar’s comments. Speaking to reporters, he described Chamundeshwari as the “Bhuvaneshwari of Kannada Nadu” and the embodiment of the state’s cultural pride. He called Mysuru Dasara the “festival of Kannada pride”, celebrated worldwide as a mark of Karnataka’s identity. “Yet, some in the Congress government are acting with a Mahishasura mentality trying to weaken Hindu traditions while promoting Mahishasura Jayanti. This is unacceptable and dangerous for social harmony,” he warned.
Channabasappa accused Congress of politicising the sacred Dasara festival for vote-bank gains. “Chamundeshwari is the worshipped deity of Hindus. She does not belong to any other community. No government or party can hold Goddess Chamundeshwari hostage for its appeasement policies. Inaugurating this festival through those who have no faith in the maa is nothing short of insulting Karnataka and the Hindu community,” he said.
The MLA warned that Hindus may be tolerant, but crossing a limit would lead to public backlash. “If Congress leaders think Hindu society will quietly endure endless insults, they are mistaken. People will rise in defense of their faith. Congress is cooking political rice in the name of Mysuru Dasara, but they will have to eat the bitterness of their own actions,” he declared.
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