DK Shivakumar Faces Backlash In Congress Over Attending Sadhguru's Mahashivratri Event

DK Shivakumar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and the state Congress president, has faced criticism from within his own party after sharing an invitation for a Mahashivratri event hosted by Sadhguru, the founder of the Isha Foundation and a well-known spiritual leader.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary PV Mohan voiced his disapproval on the social media platform X, stating that Shivakumar's actions "damage the core" of the party, reported India Today.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/DKShivakumar

At the event on Wednesday, Shivakumar also shared the stage with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Mahashivratri celebration, organised by the Isha Foundation, is an all-night festival featuring musical performances and meditations led by the spiritual leader.

In a post tagging the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, PV Mohan questioned how Shivakumar could express gratitude towards someone who had mocked Rahul Gandhi while "serving as a president of a secular party".

Mohan was referring to a thank-you note posted by Shivakumar for being invited to the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore to celebrate Mahashivratri.

Shivakumar, who later shared his experience at the Isha Yoga Centre on social media, had posted a picture of the invitation along with a message of thanks to Sadhguru.

"I am not criticising, I was just expressing my opinion about his (Shivakumar's) ideological ways. Both Isha Foundation and Jaggi Vasudev's ideologies align with that of BJP and RSS. We are totally against RSS ideologies and Rahul has repeatedly mentioned that whoever follows RSS ideologies can leave the party," Mohan told India Today, clarifying his remarks on X.

He further stated that while he had no objection to Shivakumar visiting temples, as the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and Deputy Chief Minister, his actions should more accurately reflect the party's values.

Mohan emphasised that Rahul Gandhi was the national leader of the party, while Amit Shah represented hate, and added that expressing such views publicly was inappropriate. He reminded that the party had consistently opposed RSS ideologies, and that when party workers attended events organised by the RSS, it only served to mislead them.

Shivakumar, who has been at the centre of a power struggle and speculation regarding Congress leadership in Karnataka, recently dismissed any links to the BJP, stating that he was born a Congressman but was also a devout Hindu at heart.

He was responding to media questions regarding his attendance at the Maha Kumbh, as well as his recent visits to various temples.