In what is claimed to be an impending division in the Karnataka Congress, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who had been attending the Mahashivaratri celebrations organized by the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, has sparked controversy by joining the event which was a Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev initiative, along with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Criticism from Within the Party
The Cooperative Minister K N Rajanna has been very open in his displeasure about Shivakumar’s communion with those who have commented negatively about the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Rajanna said that Sadhguru once said he does not know Rahul Gandhi, and so it is wrong for Shivakumar to be near him.
“Sadhguru himself said he doesn’t know Rahul Gandhi. Isn’t it? He (Shivakumar) knows better than me what people speak about our leader Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha. Let him answer how justified is to share the stage with such people.”
The discontent expressed by AICC secretary P V Mohan was quite bold as he attacked Shivakumar for making a public statement praising Sadhguru’s invitation, calling the remark misleading for party workers. He shared a screenshot of Shivakumar’s post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) saying: “Thankful for the invitation from someone who mocks Rahul Gandhi while running the very secular party.”
Defensive Stand by Supporters
Support for Deputy CM by former MP D K Suresh, the brother of Shivakumar, quoted: “There was nothing wrong in his attending. Whenever Shivakumar has attended any event, he always informed the party. He has got the invitation from Sadhguru for the Mahashivaratri event personally, and there was nothing secretive about it.”
Minister M.B. Patil also backed Shivakumar, asserting that attending religious occasions does not contradict party protocols. He questioned the controversy, asking, “Is Shivakumar not a Hindu? So what is the fuss all about attending Shivaratri celebrations? Given that he is attending this function, isn’t that anti-party? Did I not go to a Shiva temple?” And he dismissed speculation about Shivakumar’s visit as “the creation of the media,” emphasizing that it was not politically motivated.
Shivakumar’s Personal Justifications
Reeling against the comments, DK Shivakumar said that he feels he has every right to attend it, as for a Hindu, that is a matter of personal faith. He prayed accordingly, saying: “I am a Hindu, and I will die a Hindu.” He defended it by stating that it should not be politicized because it was a personal belief. Shivakumar added that Sadhguru, hailing from Mysuru, had personally invited him, and therefore he could not really refuse.
He said: “I attended the Maha Shivarathri celebrations at Isha Foundation. It is my personal belief. I cannot respond to everyone posting something on social media regarding it. I do not want the BJP or others to greet it; neither do I want the media to discuss it. It is purely a matter of individual belief. Sadhguru, from Mysuru, invited me to the function.”
Political Implications
The incident points to the careful line that politicians must tread in balancing personal faith and party ideology. His presence at such an event, attended by a senior BJP leader, raises eyebrows, especially since the Congress is currently the opposition party nationally. But the supporters maintain that going to a religious event should not be construed as political allegiance.
The visit of DK Shivakumar to the Isha Yoga Center has brought to light the divisions within the Karnataka Congress, which would echo into difficulties for bigger fights toward walking the fine lines between personal faith and political affiliations.
