Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday dismissed the BJP’s “Dharmasthala Chalo” rally as a political stunt, saying it would not fetch the opposition any electoral advantage. He accused the BJP of hypocrisy, pointing out that the party did not protest when the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was first formed, but had now resorted to agitation after the inquiry found nothing.
Responding to the BJP’s demand for an NIA probe and threats of a “Chamundeshwari temple chalo” rally, Siddaramaiah said the saffron party was misusing religion for politics. “I, too, am a Hindu, but being Hindu doesn’t mean lying and spreading propaganda. True Hindus uphold humanity,” he remarked. He further accused the BJP of attempting to politicize the Mysuru Dasara festival, asserting that such protests would have no impact on the celebrations.
The controversy deepened after Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s remark that Chamundi Hill and the Goddess Chamundeshwari are revered by all religions. The BJP rejected this, calling it part of a campaign against Hindu institutions. Siddaramaiah, however, reiterated that Dasara was Karnataka’s “Nada Habba” (state festival), celebrated by people of all faiths.
BJP leaders also objected to the government inviting Kannada writer and International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year’s Dasara, citing an old video where she allegedly questioned worshipping Kannada as Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. Defending the choice, Siddaramaiah said Mushtaq was honoured for her rare international recognition. “How many have won the Booker Prize? She has been invited to respect her achievement,” he said. Mushtaq clarified that her old remarks were selectively distorted and spread on social media.
