'Chamundi Hill Is A Hindu Property': BJP Slams D K Shivakumar Amid Mysuru Dasara Row

The Congress government in Karnataka has come under fire from Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar allegedly said that Chamundi Hill in Mysuru is not exclusive to Hindus but belongs to people of all faiths.

The opposition BJP has launched a sharp counterattack, accusing the ruling party of undermining Hindu traditions.

While defending the state’s choice to have International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara celebrations on 22 September at Chamundi Hill, Shivakumar made the controversial remarks.

“Chamundi Hill and Goddess Chamundi belong to every religion, it is not the property of Hindus alone. People of all communities go to Chamundi Hills and offer prayers to the Goddess, it is their belief. We go to Churches, Jain temples, Dargahs, Gurudwaras…this opposition to Mushtaq is all politics,” the Deputy CM said, according to news agency PTI.

Additionally, he drew a parallel with Ayodhya, asking why the Ram Mandir there was not declared exclusive to Hindus and why no such restriction had been imposed through a board.

He added, “This is a secular country, there is a Constitution, everyone has protection, and everyone can follow their belief and faith.”

Also Read: Shiva Temple, Vaishnavite Priests, And Jain Administrators: All About Dharmasthala, The Karnataka Shrine At The Centre Of A Political Storm

The BJP, however, hit back strongly.

R Ashoka, the opposition leader, proclaimed Chamundi Hill to be "pucca" Hindu property.

“Even if hundred DK Shivakumars come, they can’t change it. Chamundi Hill, Dharmasthala, Tirupati, Sabarimala, all these are property of Hindus. If you try to touch or alter things at Chamundi Hill, there will be an uprising. Be careful, I’m giving this warning to Congress party,” he warned.

Shivakumar also faced criticism from Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, the scion of the royal family.

"Chamundi Betta is a Shakti Peetha, sanctified by the Shastras and revered by crores of Hindus. The temple was, is, and will always remain Hindu property," he said.

He added that the people of Karnataka respect every religion, but they will never tolerate the continuous assault on Hindu festivals, traditions, and temples.

Before launching the Dasara event, Mushtaq has also been asked to explain her devotion to Goddess Chamundeshwari by the BJP's state unit.

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Also Read: “Dasara Not Secular”: BJP Slams Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah For Inviting Muslim Author To Inaugurate Hindu Festival