Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has stirred controversy with recent remarks, including his singing of the RSS anthem in the state Assembly and a statement that "Chamundeswari hill is not exclusive property of Hindus." Facing sharp criticism, Shivakumar announced on Thursday that he would refrain from commenting further, directing reporters to party spokespersons.

The BJP has fiercely criticized Shivakumar, with Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraj Wadiyar calling his remarks on Goddess Chamundeswari "painful and ridiculous." Wadiyar, a member of the Mysuru royal family, condemned the statement as an affront to Hindu sentiments during a time of religious festivities, labeling it "condemnable."

Shivakumar hit back, expressing frustration: "People don’t tolerate when I speak facts, be it Pramoda Devi, Yaduveer, or in the Assembly. Everyone’s job is to find fault in what I say—politicians, journalists, anyone." He added, "It’s better not to speak. Approach our party leaders or spokespersons instead."

Also Read: Shivakumar Accuses BJP of Exploiting Dharmasthala Case for Votes

The controversy intensified with BJP national general secretary B L Santhosh’s post on X, accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of forcing Shivakumar to apologize for singing the RSS anthem on August 21. Santhosh wrote, “@INCIndia under @RahulGandhi will never tolerate anything concerned with nationalism. They hate it tooth & nail.”

Further fueling the debate, the BJP opposed the Congress government’s decision to have Kannada literatteur Banu Mushtaq, a Muslim Booker Prize winner, inaugurate the Dasara festivities. BJP leaders alleged Mushtaq lacks respect for Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, another form of Chamundeswari, and threatened to launch a movement against the decision.

Shivakumar, also the state Congress president, recently apologized to party workers for his RSS anthem recital after facing internal criticism. The mounting controversies have placed the Deputy CM at the center of a political firestorm, with both the BJP and sections of his own party questioning his actions.

Also Read: Kejriwal Demands 100% Tariffs on US Imports