A fiery political clash has erupted in Karnataka over Chamundi Hill, home to the revered Chamundeswari Temple in Mysuru, after Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar declared it belongs to all religions, not just Hindus. The statement came in response to backlash against the state government’s decision to invite International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara-2025 celebrations atop the hill on September 22.

Shivakumar defended the move, arguing that Chamundi Hill is a shared space where people of all faiths pray, citing inter-faith practices and questioning why the Ayodhya Ram Mandir isn’t restricted to Hindus alone. He emphasized India’s secular ethos and constitutional protections for all beliefs.

The remarks triggered a sharp rebuttal from the opposition BJP. Leader of Opposition R Ashoka fiercely asserted that Chamundi Hill is “definitely” Hindu property, warning that any attempt to alter its status would provoke an uprising. He listed other Hindu sites like Dharmasthala, Tirupati, and Sabarimala as similarly sacred, urging the Congress to tread carefully.

Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, a royal family scion, condemned Shivakumar’s comments on the sacred Gowri Habba festival day, calling Chamundi Hill a Shakti Peetha revered by millions and vowing that it will remain Hindu property despite the controversy.

The dispute intensified over Banu Mushtaq’s invitation, with BJP leaders raising concerns after an old video resurfaced where she allegedly criticized worshipping Kannada as Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, suggesting exclusion of minorities. State BJP President BY Vijayendra and Wadiyar demanded she clarify her stance on Goddess Chamundeshwari. Mushtaq countered that her words were distorted, with selective clips fueling the outrage.

As tensions rise, the debate pits secular inclusivity against religious sanctity, with Karnataka’s political landscape bracing for further fallout ahead of the Dasara festivities.

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