Our Bureau
Bengaluru
The Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar’s recent remarks on Chamundi Hill has dragged him in the centre of a huge controversy. His remarks responding to the criticism of opposition of the government for inviting Booker Prize-winning writer Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the 2025 Mysuru Dasara celebrations have invited condemnation from the Royal Family in Mysuru as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, the widow of the Maharaja Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family, issued a statement describing the Deputy CM’s comments as “insensitive” and “unnecessary.”
“I write this with deep dismay over the way this year’s Dasara celebrations proposed to be conducted by the Government of Karnataka have unfolded, especially with politics finding its way around the sacred Chamundeshwari temple atop Chamundi Hills,” she said.
Pramoda Devi’s son Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, who is a BJP MP, called Shivakumar’s words a painful and ridiculous statement that might hurt the sentiments of Hindus. He stated that just because everyone is allowed at the temple doesn’t mean it doesn’t belong to the Hindus.
“Yes, everyone can enter the temple, but just because everyone is allowed, you cannot impose the boundaries of the modern constitution’s secularism on it. Chamundi Hill belongs to Hindus and it is the property of Hindus. There is no doubt about it. The Deputy Chief Minister’s statement cannot change things,” the BJP MP said.
However, Shivakumar stood on his remarks responding to the criticism this Thursday, on August 28th. He took to his social media and stated that the worshipers of Chamundeshwari Mother are found in all castes and religions and worshiping her can’t be limited to anyone.
“Chamundeshwari Mother is the presiding deity of our region. Those who worship her, believe in her, and honour her are found in all castes and religions. Her darshan is the right of everyone. Mother is the asset of all devotees, not limited to anyone. No one can say no to worshipping the Mother,” he posted.
At a separate press conference, Mr Shivakumar called Chamundi Hill a government property, not a private property, and thus it is open to all. He said, “Chamundi Hills is a government temple, not private property, and it is open to all. Hinduism is my religion, and I follow it staunchly. But I also respect all religions. I believe in humanity.”
