Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar's visit to Mahashivaratri celebrations in Tamil Nadu—a celebration also attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah—has raised eyebrows from within his own party. Shivakumar retorted by asserting firmly that he was "born a Hindu and will die as one."
His attendance at the Mahashivaratri celebrations at Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore has attracted criticism from some Congress members, including AICC secretary P V Mohan.
Mohan, going onto 'X,' posted a picture of Shivakumar's statement regarding his trip and condemned the action. "Thanking an invitation from the person who teases RG (Rahul Gandhi), nation's hope, & supports RSS's narratives & is a president of a secular party, misguided party workers. It is belief and not surrender (that) makes the party grow. Otherwise, it tarnishes the center," he wrote.
Responding to the controversy in a press conference on Wednesday, Shivakumar justified his visit by making a reference to Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge's name. "Our Congress president's name is Mallikarjun Kharge. Who is Mallikarjuna? It's Shiva only. Should he change his name?" he asked.
Reminding him of his experience at Mahakumbh, he complimented its organization, but said he liked not to comment on defects. "My experience at Mahakumbh was excellent. The festival was nicely organized, and that is no mean achievement. There could be some minor hiccups like train inconveniences, but I don't look for fault-finding. Overall, it was very gratifying," he said.
Reiterating his religious faith, Shivakumar declared, "I am a Hindu. I was born a Hindu and will die a Hindu, but I love and respect all religions." He explained that some devotees take care of poojas on their own in spiritual pursuits, while others approach priests for help. Paraphrasing a Sanskrit verse, he said, "With the priest's prayers, Shiva can manifest even in a stone."
Even as he stressed his Hinduity, he underscored his admiration for other religions. "While I was in jail, I read about Sikhism and its basis. I even took courses on Sikhism," he explained.
Shivakumar went on to describe his pilgrimages to religious sites across denominations. "I visit Jain monasteries, dargahs, and churches, and their priests bless me. Must I muzzle them?" he asked.
Earlier, Shivakumar had countered speculation that his attendance at the Mahashivaratri celebration was proof of a political change towards BJP. He had clarified that he was invited by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, who is a Mysuru native. "He is a great man, and I am impressed by his wisdom and stature, although I do know many people also criticise him," he stated.
Pointing to Sadhguru's initiative, he said, "Sadhguru traveled all the way from Tamil Nadu and waited for me. Last time, my daughter went to the center, and then there were social media rumors that I am moving closer to the BJP—even though I have not met Amit Shah yet."
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