Shivakumar’s Mahashivaratri Visit Sparks Controversy in Congress

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar faces mixed reactions over attending Mahashivaratri celebrations with Sadhguru. Party leaders debate the implications.

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There’s been a lot of talk about Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar visiting Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha yoga center in Tamil Nadu for the Mahashivaratri celebration. This visit has created a split within the state’s Congress party members. Some leaders, like Cooperative Minister K N Rajanna, are questioning why Shivakumar is sharing the stage with someone who has criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Rajanna mentioned that Sadhguru had said he doesn’t know Rahul Gandhi, so he wants Shivakumar to explain why he is appearing with such a person.

On the other hand, former MP D K Suresh, who is also Shivakumar’s brother, defended him. He said that Shivakumar always keeps the party in the loop before attending any event, including when he meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Suresh pointed out that Shivakumar had informed the party about his visit to Isha Foundation’s event ahead of time. He noted that Sadhguru personally invited Shivakumar to attend the event in Coimbatore.

Shivakumar, who is also the president of the Congress party in Karnataka, attended the big celebration in Coimbatore, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also present. In defense of his visit, Shivakumar expressed his strong faith, stating, “I was born a Hindu and I will die a Hindu.”

State Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi mentioned that this issue has grown beyond Karnataka and is now being viewed on a national level. He believes it’s important for leaders in Delhi to pay attention to it because it’s unclear what’s right or wrong.

Minister M B Patil also supported Shivakumar, saying attending the Shivaratri event is totally fine since he’s a Hindu. He argued that being a devoted Congress member doesn’t prevent someone from celebrating their faith and added, “What’s wrong with sitting with Amit Shah?” Patil emphasized that the event was not political, as Sadhguru hosts such gatherings every year in a grand way.

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