Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has stirred controversy after he was seen singing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) anthem in the state assembly. The incident, which was captured in a 73-second video clip, has prompted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to take a swipe at the Congress party.
The BJP contrasted Shivakumar's actions with the Congress's recent criticisms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mention of the RSS in his Independence Day speech.
The clip shows Shivakumar singing "Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhume", the RSS anthem, within the assembly premises. This occurred after the BJP had taunted him about his past remarks concerning the organisation.
The Bharatiya Janata Party targeted the Congress on Friday, saying a majority of its leaders are now hailing the RSS. "Namaste Sada Vatsale Matribhume... DK Shivakumar seen singing the RSS anthem yesterday in the Karnataka assembly. Rahul Gandhi & close aides of Gandhi Vadra family straight into ICU/Coma mode now," BJP National Spokesperson Bhandari said on X.
Also read: Cong issues notice to MLA for backing Shivakumar as Karnataka CM
"After PM Modi spoke about the contribution of the RSS from the ramparts of the Red Fort, a majority of Congress leaders are now hailing the RSS. No one in Congress— Tharoor to DK Shivakumar takes Rahul seriously!" he said.
Replying to the controversy, Shivakumar asserted to his loyalty to the Congress. "I am a born Congressman. As a leader I should know my opponents and friends. I have studied about them. There is no question of joining hands (with the BJP). I will lead the Congress. I have been with the Congress since birth for life," he said.
The incident occurred during a discussion on a stampede that took place on June 4 outside the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. Dismissing the opposition's criticisms, Shivakumar said he could also highlight lapses by BJP-led governments in other states.
He referred to his role as the minister in charge for Bengaluru, saying he had done his job by attending the airport celebrations after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered their first ever Indian Premier League victory. He described the stampede, which resulted in 11 deaths, as "unfortunate" and an "accident." He added that he chose not to highlight lapses in other states.
The context for the singing emerged when Leader of Opposition R Ashoka remarked that Shivakumar once wore RSS shorts, to which the Deputy CM responded by jovially singing a part of the anthem.
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