Karnataka Chief Minister Orders Investigation After Ministers Blocked from Worship at Mysore Palace

Bengaluru, October 22 (Daily Kiran) : Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has directed Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to investigate an incident where police officers prevented ministers from entering the Mysore Palace for a worship ceremony on Wednesday.

The incident occurred during the Nandi Dhwaja worship, part of the ongoing Mysuru Dasara festival. According to Shivakumar, police officials displayed arrogance by barring ministers, including P.M. Narendra Swamy and K.S. Basavantaappa, from accessing the worship site.

“I personally intervened to ensure the ministers were allowed entry. Such arbitrary behavior by officials is unacceptable. Therefore, I have instructed the Chief Secretary to investigate and report on those responsible,” the Chief Minister stated. He added that action would be taken against any officials found guilty after the report is submitted.

The controversy began when Superintendent of Police C.B. Rishyanth, responsible for security during the festival, stopped three Dalit ministers from participating in the Nandi Dhwaja worship on October 21. Following a commotion, Shivakumar directed the police to allow the ministers access to the worship area.

This incident has sparked widespread discussion, raising questions about who instructed the SP to restrict access to the worship site. Public outrage is growing over why ministers were barred from participating without any directives from the Chief Minister.

Dalit organizations and progressive thinkers have condemned the incident, and videos of the confrontation between the ministers and police have gone viral on social media.

According to protocol, ministers and legislators accompanying the Chief Minister are typically permitted to join in worship. However, on Wednesday, only the minister in charge of Mysuru district, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, was initially allowed entry with Shivakumar. In contrast, Kannada and Culture Minister Shivraj Tangadgi, Agriculture Minister P.M. Narendra Swamy, and Muzrai Minister K.S. Basavantaappa were stopped by the SP.

As the ministers attempted to proceed to the ceremony, Rishyanth allegedly blocked their path. Minister Shivraj Tangadgi expressed his frustration by pushing past the officer to join the ritual. Subsequently, the SP physically obstructed ministers Narendra Swamy and Basavantaappa from entering.

Witnessing the turmoil, Shivakumar stepped in and instructed the SP to allow the ministers to participate in the worship. Reports indicate that Minister Narendra Swamy reprimanded the officer, demanding he maintain distance and refrain from touching him. Eventually, the ministers were granted permission to join the ceremony.

Earlier reports also indicated that the SP had prevented senior Congress legislator Tanveer Sait from accessing the worship site. The Chief Minister later intervened to escort Sait to the ceremony. Other local legislators and MLCs were denied entry, forcing them to observe from a distance.