BAGALKOT: A video purportedly showing some Islamists consuming non-vegetarian food at Kudalasangama, the revered site associated with Basavanna, has triggered a political and social controversy in Karnataka. The video, which has been circulating widely on social media, has drawn criticism from BJP leaders and others who have questioned whether proper norms are being followed at the important religious and cultural site.
Kudalasangama in Bagalkot district is regarded as the aikya sthala of Jagajyoti Basavanna and attracts devotees and visitors year-round. The reported incident has led to demands for stricter regulations to preserve the sanctity, cleanliness and decorum of the premises.
ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್‌ ಬಂದಿದೆ – ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನ್‌ವೆಜ್‌ಗೆ ಅನುಮತಿ ನೀಡಿದೆ..!!
ವಿಶ್ವಗುರು ಬಸವಣ್ಣನವರ ಐಕ್ಯಸ್ಥಳವಾದ ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಂಸಾಹಾರ ಸೇವಿಸಿರುವುದು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಖಂಡನೀಯ.
ಸಿಎಂ ಡಿ ಕೆ ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ್ ಅವರೆ, ಸಚಿವರು ಹಾಗೂ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಶಾಸಕರಾದ ವಿಜಯಾನಂದ ಕಾಶಪ್ಪನವರ್‌ ಅವರೆ, ಬಸವಣ್ಣನವರಿಗೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಅವರ ಭಕ್ತರಿಗೆ ಇನ್ನೆಷ್ಟು ಅವಮಾನ… pic.twitter.com/YFu7giuLeP
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) October 5, 2026
According to the allegations in the video, Islamists consumed non-vegetarian food near a Shiva temple on the premises. When residents reportedly objected and advised those involved not to consume such food on the religious premises, an argument allegedly followed. The circumstances surrounding the incident and the identities of the people seen in the video have not been independently established.
The issue gained political traction after the Karnataka BJP shared the video on social media and criticised the alleged incident. The party questioned the government over what it described as a failure to protect the sanctity of the historic religious site.
ನುಡಿದರೆ ಲಿಂಗ ಮೆಚ್ಚಿ ಅಹುದಹುದು ಎನ್ನಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಭಾಷಣ ಮಾಡುವ ಸಿಎಂ @DKShivakumar ಅವರೆ, ಹರ-ಗುರು-ಚರ ಮೂರ್ತಿಗಳು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಸೇವೆ ಮಾಡಿದರೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಮುಕ್ತಿ ದೊರೆಯುತ್ತದೆಯೇ..??
ವೀರಶೈವ-ಲಿಂಗಾಯತ ಮಠಾಧೀಶರ ಕುರಿತು ನೀವು ಆಡಿದ ಮಾತುಗಳು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಖಂಡನೀಯ. ಅಧಿಕಾರದ ಮದದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೆರೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ನಿಮ್ಮ ನಾಲಿಗೆಗೆ ಹೇಳಿಬಿಡಿ,… pic.twitter.com/FxDi4CMKov
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) September 28, 2026
In its social media post, the BJP alleged, “Congress has come and allowed non-vegetarian food at Kudalasangama.” The party further described the alleged consumption of meat at Basavanna’s aikya sthala as objectionable and questioned Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, ministers and local MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar over the incident.
The BJP also raised concerns about whether adequate restrictions and monitoring mechanisms are in place at the site. It demanded that the authorities take appropriate action if the activity violated existing rules governing the premises. Former BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal also reacted to the controversy through a post on X. He said religious places have their own sanctity and argued that visitors should respect the character of such locations.
“Hindu temples have their own sanctity. Those who enter the aikya sthala of Jnanayogi Basavanna and consume non-vegetarian food, thereby affecting the sanctity of the place, have brought disrepute to civil society. Had they possessed even a little sense, religious commitment and awareness, they would not have consumed non-vegetarian food at such a sacred place,” Yatnal said.
Yatnal also called on the police and district administration to examine the incident and take action if any law or regulation was violated. He suggested framing clear guidelines to maintain cleanliness, discipline, and decorum at Basavanna’s aikya sthala.
He further demanded that basic instructions for visitors be prominently displayed through signboards at the site.
According to him, anyone deliberately violating such rules should face penalties or legal action as applicable. The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time, as recent remarks by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on mutts and seers have also sparked debate among sections of the Lingayat community.
A video of Shivakumar’s speech at a Veerashaiva-Lingayat Dharma Samrakshana convention in Bengaluru has recently been widely circulated on social media. During the approximately 30-minute address, the Chief Minister reportedly referred to the large number of Lingayat mutts in the State.
“Whether there are 3,000 mutts or 6,000 mutts, only if you become my ambassadors and serve me will you attain liberation, peace and development,” Shivakumar said, according to the remarks being circulated.
The statement has attracted criticism from political opponents, who have questioned the Chief Minister’s comments on religious institutions and seers. The controversy over the Kudalasangama video has now added another issue to the ongoing political debate surrounding religious places and their administration.
Meanwhile, the reported incident has prompted demands for clarity from the district administration. Authorities are expected to review the video, establish when and where the incident occurred, identify the people involved, and determine whether any existing rules were violated.
Kudalasangama is an important religious and cultural centre associated with Basavanna and the Lingayat tradition. Given its significance, political leaders and residents have called for greater attention to cleanliness, visitor discipline, and preserving the site’s religious character.
