Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress state president D.K. Shivakumar is at the centre of a political storm after unexpectedly singing the RSS anthem during a heated Assembly debate related to the June 4 stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people.

Shivakumar’s move, which he later said was meant to mock the BJP, triggered intense criticism from within his party, with senior Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad questioning the Deputy CM’s intentions. “There’s no objection if he sings the RSS anthem as Deputy CM, but not as the Congress president,” Hariprasad stated, further adding, “The RSS was responsible for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. In that context, the act is inappropriate.”

The incident occurred during a fiery exchange in the Assembly on August 21 when BJP leader R. Ashoka demanded the resignation of Shivakumar, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Home Minister G. Parameshwara over the government’s alleged negligence during the IPL victory celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Reacting to the backlash, Shivakumar held a press conference where he defended his actions, stating, “I just commented and tried to pull their (BJP) leg. Some of my friends are taking a political leap, trying to misuse it and cause confusion among the public… I don’t want to hurt their feelings. If anyone has been hurt, I feel sorry for them.”

Shivakumar: ‘I Stand by All, Apologize If Hurt Anyone’s Feelings’

“I’m not bigger than anyone, my life is there to give strength to everyone. I have stood by everyone in their difficulty, still I stand by them…as a loyal Congressman I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings… If you want an apology, yes. For all the Congressmen and many political party friends of INDIA bloc they may be hurt,” he said.

Shivakumar went on to reaffirm his political allegiance, saying, “My loyalty to the Congress party and Gandhi family cannot be questioned by anyone. I’m a born Congressman, I will die as a Congressman.”

The lines he sang from the RSS prayer “Namaste Sada Vatsale…” on the Assembly floor caught both allies and opponents by surprise. While the Congress scrambled to contain internal criticism, some tried to downplay the controversy.

Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad doubled down on his demand for an apology, asking, “I don’t know who he was trying to impress by reciting the RSS prayer,” and added, “He has many faces a farmer, quarry owner, educationist, businessman, industrialist, politician. He may be this one also (RSS worker).”

Congress Leaders Defend Shivakumar Amid RSS Anthem Row

While many in the Congress were quick to condemn the act, others like Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa and MLA Tanveer Sait attempted to contain the damage.

“He (Shivakumar) has only asserted that he too is a Hindu. Congress will continue to fight against that (RSS) ideology,” Mahadevappa said in Mysuru. “Just because Shivakumar sang the RSS anthem does not mean he is in favour of the BJP,” Tanveer Sait added.

Shivakumar, who has often publicly embraced his Hindu identity, has long been viewed as a prominent figure within the Congress with ambitions for the Chief Minister’s post. This has only intensified scrutiny of his actions.

The issue also ignited reactions online, with Ministers like Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa and Priyank Kharge posting criticisms of the RSS on social media shortly after the Assembly incident viewed by many as indirect disapproval of Shivakumar’s act.

Ex-Minister Slams Congress Over Shivakumar Row

The controversy has even led to questions about discipline within the Congress ranks. Former Minister K.N. Rajanna, who was previously sacked, pointedly asked why no action had been taken against Shivakumar despite the uproar.

When asked to comment, Home Minister G. Parameshwara declined to take a stand and said, “The high command watches everything. If they feel it’s wrong, they will act. If they see it as a contextual reference, they may ignore it.”

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil also attempted to soften the situation. “He said it in a flow. There’s no need to read too much into it. We must understand the context. Unnecessary political analysis is wrong,” Patil said.

The tragic incident at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which led to the deaths of 11 people during IPL-related celebrations, had already put the Congress-led state government under immense pressure. The opposition BJP seized the opportunity to demand accountability and used the controversy around the RSS anthem to deepen the attack.

Whether Shivakumar’s explanation is enough to calm dissent within his party remains to be seen, but the incident has undoubtedly exposed ideological tensions simmering within Karnataka’s ruling establishment.