A controversy erupted in Mysuru after Superintendent of Police CB Rishyanth allegedly prevented three Dalit ministers from participating in the Nandi Dhwaja puja during the Jamboo Savari procession on October 21. The incident took place near the Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple within the Mysuru Palace premises during the Dasara celebrations.
The incident has sparked questions about why the ministers were stopped and who instructed the police officer to restrict their entry to the ritual venue. Dalit organisations and progressive voices have condemned the episode, while videos showing exchanges between the ministers and the officer have circulated on social media.
The three ministers involved were Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadgi, Agriculture Minister PM Narendra Swamy and Muzrai Minister KS Basavanteppa. The incident has also triggered debate over the treatment of Dalit representatives and the conduct of security personnel during one of Karnataka’s most prominent cultural celebrations.
Ministers Stopped From Entering Puja Venue
According to the account of the incident, ministers and MLAs accompanying the Chief Minister are permitted to participate in the ritual. However, on Wednesday, only Mysuru district in-charge Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah was initially allowed to enter the venue along with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
When Tangadgi, Narendra Swamy and Basavanteppa attempted to proceed towards the puja venue, SP Rishyanth allegedly blocked their way.
Tangadgi pushed past the officer to enter the venue, expressing his displeasure at being stopped. The SP subsequently stood in the way of Narendra Swamy and Basavanteppa, preventing them from entering the site.
The confrontation continued until Chief Minister Shivakumar intervened and instructed the officer to allow the ministers to participate in the ritual. The ministers were subsequently permitted to join the puja.
Narendra Swamy reportedly reprimanded the officer during the exchange, asking him not to touch him and to maintain distance.
The episode has raised questions about the basis on which the ministers were initially denied entry, particularly as they were elected representatives accompanying the Chief Minister.
Tanveer Sait Also Reportedly Stopped
The controversy extended beyond the three ministers. Senior Congress MLA Tanveer Sait was also reportedly prevented by the SP from reaching the puja venue.
Shivakumar later intervened and took Sait to the site to participate in the worship. Other local MLAs and MLCs were reportedly left watching the ritual from a distance because they were not permitted to enter the venue.
The incident has drawn criticism from Dalit organisations and progressive thinkers, who have raised concerns about the fact that the three ministers initially stopped from participating in the puja belong to the Dalit community.
