R Ashok Demands Apology from DK Shivakumar Over Remarks on Chamundeshwari Temple

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar for his statement that Mysuru’s Chamundi Hills, home to the Chamundeshwari Temple, is not the property of Hindus alone. BJP leaders have demanded that Shivakumar withdraw his remarks and tender an apology to the people.

BJP Slams Statement as Insult to Hindus

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, speaking to reporters on Thursday, said the Congress government has repeatedly insulted Hindus and Hinduism, citing both the Dharmasthala issue and now the Chamundi Temple controversy.

“The Mysuru Wadiyars worship Goddess Chamundeshwari as their family deity. What is the government trying to show by saying that this does not belong only to Hindus? The government will not say mosques or churches belong to everyone, but stresses that Hindu temples belong to all. They should apologise,’’ Ashoka asserted.

He also drew a comparison between celebrated Kannada writers. Referring to late poet Nisar Ahmed, who wrote the Nityotsava poem, Ashoka said there was no comparison between Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq and Nisar Ahmed.

“Nisar never spoke about Hindu religion. When Banu was invited for the Dasara festival, they say Chamundeshwari is inviting Banu. But will any mosque invite her?’’ he asked.

Vijayendra Targets Shivakumar’s Intentions

BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra also demanded that Shivakumar retract his statement. He accused the Deputy Chief Minister of attempting to please the Gandhi family with an eye on becoming Chief Minister.

“Shivakumar is trying to please the Gandhi family as he is eying to become chief minister. His statement on Chamundi Temple is nothing but an insult to the entire Hindu community,” Vijayendra said.

He further questioned why the government chose only Banu Mushtaq, one of the Booker Prize winners, to inaugurate the Dasara festival. “Deepa Bhasti was also a co-winner of the prize. Why did the government not invite her?” he asked.

HD Kumaraswamy: No Objection to Invitation

Former Chief Minister and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy distanced himself from the controversy. He said he had no objection to writer Banu Mushtaq being invited to inaugurate the Dasara celebrations.

“Some are speaking with arrogance. There was no need to make this a religious issue,” Kumaraswamy remarked, signaling that the debate had been unnecessarily escalated.

Pramoda Devi Wadiyar Expresses Displeasure

From Mysuru, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the erstwhile royal family voiced her disappointment over politics entering the sacred Chamundeshwari Temple space. She said the choice of dignitary for the inauguration had sparked avoidable controversy.

“Insensitive statements such as Chamundeshwari Temple does not belong to Hindus was both unnecessary and avoidable. If it were not a Hindu temple, it would never have been brought under the Muzrai Department in the first place,” she noted.

Pramoda Devi clarified that the state cannot claim religious sanctity or parampare in conducting the festival.

“It is clear that the celebrations organised by the Government of Karnataka are not religious in nature and they simply coincide with the Navaratri celebrations, including Vijayadashami, whereas we continue to observe these dharmic rituals privately, in accordance with age-old religious customs and traditions,” she explained.

Renewed Attack from BJP Leaders

At another press conference at the State Secretariat, R. Ashoka again demanded that Shivakumar apologise for “hurting Hindu sentiments.”

He alleged that the Congress government was “insulting Hindus” not only by ordering a SIT probe into alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala but also through the Chamundi Temple controversy.

“If Mr. Shivakumar says that Chamundi Hills is not the property of Hindus, then is it the property of the Waqf board?” Ashoka questioned.

He reiterated that the Mysuru Wadiyars have worshipped Chamundeshwari as their family deity for centuries, and Shivakumar’s comments were aimed at appeasing Muslims.

BJP leaders also expressed discontent over the Karnataka government inviting Banu Mushtaq for the Dasara inauguration, saying the move ignored religious sensitivities.

Shivakumar Chooses Silence

Amid mounting criticism from both within the Congress and the Opposition, Shivakumar announced that he would maintain silence on controversial issues. He said party spokespersons would henceforth respond to queries.

“You see, people don’t tolerate when I speak about some facts,” he told reporters on Thursday. “Some people’s only job is to find fault in whatever I utter. It is better not to speak. There are other leaders and party spokesmen. You better speak to them.”

When asked about BJP national general secretary B.L. Santhosh’s post targeting Rahul Gandhi for allegedly making him apologise for singing the RSS anthem in the Assembly, Shivakumar declined to respond, sticking to his decision to remain silent.