BENGALURU: A major political row has erupted in Karnataka with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensifying its attack on Deputy Chief Minister DK. Shivakumar over his earlier remarks on the Mangaluru cooker blast case. The party has now demanded a public apology, accusing him of downplaying a serious terror incident for “vote bank politics.”
The controversy has resurfaced after the prime accused, Mohammed Shariq, reportedly admitted before a court that the blast was a pre-planned act. Investigating agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), have maintained that the accused was influenced by extremist ideology and had intended to target sensitive locations.
ಮಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಕುಕ್ಕರ್ ಬಾಂಬ್ ಸ್ಫೋಟ ಪ್ರಕರಣವನ್ನು 'ಇದೊಂದು ಕೇವಲ ಕುಕ್ಕರ್ ಬ್ಲಾಸ್ಟ್, ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಟೆರರಿಸ್ಟ್ ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ?' ಎಂದು ಲಘುವಾಗಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿ, ಪ್ರಕರಣದ ದಿಕ್ಕು ತಪ್ಪಿಸಲು ಯತ್ನಿಸಿದ್ದ ಡಿಸಿಎಂ @DKShivakumar ಅವರೇ, ಈಗ ನಿಮ್ಮ 'ಬ್ರದರ್' ಉಗ್ರ ಶಾರೀಕ್ NIA ಕೋರ್ಟ್ ಮುಂದೆ ತನ್ನ ತಪ್ಪೊಪ್ಪಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾನೆ.
ಅಂದು ವೋಟ್ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್… pic.twitter.com/XhlXhqlV1M
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) March 31, 2026
BJP leaders have pointed to Shivakumar’s earlier statement in which he had allegedly termed the incident as “just a cooker blast” and questioned the presence of any terrorist angle. At the time, he had also warned against targeting “Muslim brothers,” a remark that the BJP now claims was an attempt to dilute the seriousness of the case.
“Now that the accused himself has confessed before the court, what does the Deputy Chief Minister have to say? Will he apologize to the people of Karnataka?” a senior BJP leader questioned. The party has alleged that Shivakumar’s statements were politically motivated and intended to appease a particular community.
According to BJP leaders, such remarks not only mislead the public but also undermine the efforts of investigative agencies. “This is not a trivial incident. It involves national security. Making premature statements without waiting for a proper probe reflects irresponsibility at the highest level,” another leader said.
The BJP has further accused the Congress leadership of repeatedly adopting a “soft approach” in sensitive cases involving allegations of terror. Leaders argued that attempting to defend or downplay such incidents in the name of maintaining communal harmony sends a wrong message and weakens public confidence in governance.
On the other hand, leaders from the ruling Congress have defended Shivakumar, stating that his remarks were made in the interest of maintaining peace and preventing communal tension. They argue that in the immediate aftermath of such incidents, leaders often call for restraint to avoid escalation and ensure law and order.
However, the BJP remains firm in its demand, insisting that the latest developments in the case have exposed what it calls the “real face of appeasement politics.” The party has urged the Deputy Chief Minister to take moral responsibility and issue an unconditional apology to the people.
D K Shivakumar had termed Mangaluru Cooker Blast as Diversionary Tactics and had given clean chit to the accused.
Warned of targeting Muslim Brothers. Now Terrorist Mohammed Shariq has pleaded guilty before the court for his terror plot.
Will DKS apologise for his earlier… https://t.co/i20nWFsRjx pic.twitter.com/LIh7RSWEhf
— Girish Bharadwaj (@Girishbdwj) March 30, 2026
The issue has also triggered widespread debate on social media, with sharp divisions emerging between supporters of both parties. While some argue that Shivakumar’s comments were misinterpreted, others believe that political leaders must exercise greater caution while speaking on matters involving national security.
Political analysts note that the controversy is likely to intensify in the coming days, especially as more details emerge from the ongoing legal proceedings. The case has once again highlighted how sensitive incidents can quickly turn into major political flashpoints, with competing narratives shaping public discourse.
As the investigation progresses, the spotlight remains on accountability and responsible political communication. The BJP’s demand for an apology underscores its broader attempt to corner the Congress leadership on issues of security and governance, setting the stage for a prolonged political confrontation in the state.
The Mangaluru cooker blast occurred on November 19, 2022, in Mangaluru. The explosion took place at around 4:30–5:00 PM inside an autorickshaw near the busy Pumpwell junction. The blast injured the passenger—later identified as Mohammed Shariq—and the auto driver, triggering immediate panic in the area.
Investigators later confirmed that the explosion was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) fitted inside a pressure cooker, leading to the term “cooker blast.” The device had low-intensity detonation but showed signs of being designed for a more destructive impact.
According to findings by the National Investigation Agency, the accused was allegedly inspired by extremist ideology and had links to terror modules. The probe indicated that the blast was not accidental but a planned act of terror. Investigators said the accused intended to target crowded public places, possibly near religious sites, to create fear and communal tension.
The NIA, which took over the case from the Karnataka Police, filed a detailed charge sheet outlining the conspiracy.
