BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has landed in the middle of a major controversy following a viral video that allegedly shows him refusing to accept a photograph of Sri Raghavendra Swamy offered by a devotee. The incident has triggered sharp reactions from devotees and public figures alike, with actor and comedian Rajya Sabha MP Jaggesh strongly condemning the Chief Minister’s attitude and warning that such conduct reflects arrogance and disrespect towards religious sentiments.
The video, which has been widely circulated on social media platforms since Monday, shows Siddaramaiah seated in his car outside his residence in Bengaluru, receiving petitions from members of the public. During this interaction, a devotee is seen offering a photograph of Mantralaya Sri Raghavendra Swamy. However, the Chief Minister appears to immediately return the photograph without accepting it, allegedly giving the devotee a stern look. Moments later, another person hands over a book on Chanakya, which Siddaramaiah accepts. This contrast — rejecting a religious photograph while accepting a political-philosophical book — has become the focal point of the controversy.
Reacting strongly to the incident, actor Jaggesh, a well-known devotee of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, expressed his anger and disappointment on his social media handle. “Insulting Rayaru (Sri Raghavendra Swamy) has never ended well for anyone in history,” Jaggesh wrote. He further stated that millions of devotees worship the saint with deep faith, penance, fasting, and discipline, and rejecting something offered with devotion is not merely a personal choice but an insult to collective belief.
ರಾಯರನ್ನ ಅಪಮಾನ ಮಾಡಿದ ಯಾರು ಉದ್ಧಾರ ಆದ ಇತಿಹಾಸವಿಲ್ಲಾ!
ರಾಯರ ಸಣ್ಣ ಕೃಪೆ ನಮ್ಮಮೇಲೆ ಬೀಳಲಿ ಎಂದು ಕೋಟ್ಯಂತರ ಭಕ್ತವೃಂದ ಜಪತಪವೈರಾಗ್ಯ ಉಪವಾಸದಿಂದ ಸೇವೆಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ,
ಭಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಬಂದದ್ದು ಹೀಗೆ ತಿರಸ್ಕರಿಸಿದ ಪ್ರಥಮ ವ್ಯೆಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ಬದುಕಲ್ಲಿ ಕಂಡದ್ದು
ರಾಯರಿದ್ದಾರೆ🙏 ಎದ್ದುಬರುತ್ತಾರೆ🙏
ಕಾಯಬೇಕು..!!
ಜೈಹಿಂದ್🙏 pic.twitter.com/WXdSsaZVvK— ನವರಸನಾಯಕ ಜಗ್ಗೇಶ್ (@Jaggesh2) January 20, 2026
Jaggesh went a step further by issuing a stark warning. “When devotees offer Rayaru’s idol or photograph with devotion, it must be accepted with humility. If a person rejects it, it means the end of their good fortune is nearing,” he wrote, using the phrase “yoga ending days are approaching,” which has since gone viral and sparked intense debate online.
The actor’s remarks resonated widely, with many devotees echoing similar sentiments. Social media has been flooded with comments accusing the Chief Minister of hurting religious feelings and displaying an attitude unbecoming of a constitutional authority. Several users argued that a Chief Minister, regardless of personal beliefs, is responsible for respecting the faith and emotions of the people.
Sri Raghavendra Swamy holds immense spiritual significance, especially in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. Mantralaya attracts lakhs of devotees every year, cutting across caste, class, and political affiliations. Against this backdrop, critics argue that Siddaramaiah’s action was not a minor gesture but a symbolic rejection that deeply hurt devotees.
Political observers note that this controversy could have wider implications. Siddaramaiah is already perceived by some sections as being indifferent to religious sentiments, and this episode may reinforce that narrative. Opposition parties and religious groups have seized upon the incident to question the Chief Minister’s sensitivity and respect for faith traditions.
