After Facing Congress Leaders' Ire Over Meeting Sadhguru, Shivakumar Responds: 'I Am Hindu, But...'

Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar stated that he is a Hindu and was born Hindu, who respects every religion.

File photo of Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar.

Source : PTI

Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar's holy dip at the Maha Kumbh and his visit to Sadhguru's ashram for Mahashivratri celebrations, have drawn sharp criticism from a section of the Congress party leaders who claimed that his action "damages the core" of the party.

Reacting against the criticism made by a section of the Congress leaders, he stated that he is a Hindu and was born Hindu, who respects every religion. Clarifying about his visit to Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Shivakumar said he was invited by him. He added that Sadhguru is also a great man whom he admires for his knowledge.

Shivakumar said, "I am a Hindu. I am a born Hindu and I will die as a Hindu but I love and respect all religions. Our Congress president's name is Mallikarjun Kharge. Who is Mallikarjuna? It's Shiva only. Should he change his name?"

"Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev of Isha Foundation came and invited me (for Shivaratri celebrations in Coimbatore). He is from Mysuru. He is a great man and I admire his knowledge and stature, but there are many who criticise him," he added, TOI reported.

Shivakumar also shared his experience about his visit to Maha Kumbh and appreciated the way the administration had organised it. "My experience regarding Maha Kumbh was very good. I appreciated the way they organised it. It is not a small job. There might be some problems here and there. Trains may have caused problems. I don't like to find faults. It is very satisfactory," he further said.

Congress Criticism Against DK Shivakumar

His remarks followed after the All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary PV Mohan expressed his disapproval on X, stating that the action of Shivakumar "damages the core" of the party.

Targeting Shivakumar's Coimbatore visit, he said, "Thanking for an invitation from someone who mocks RG (Rahul Gandhi), the hope of the nation & aligns with RSS's narratives, while serving as a president of a secular party, it misleads party workers. It is conviction rather than compromise (that) ensures the party's growth. Otherwise, it damages the core."

Thanking for an invitation from someone who mocks RG, the hope of the nation&aligns with RSS’s narratives,while serving as a president of a secular party, it misleads party workers. It is Conviction rather than compromise ensures the party’s growth. Otherwise, it damages the core pic.twitter.com/x9hnxhbfF6

— PV.MOHAN (@pvmohanINC) February 26, 2025

However, clarifying the comments, PV Mohan told India Today, “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."

He also clarified that he had no objections to Shivakumar visiting temples, but as the KPCC president and Deputy Chief Minister, his actions must comply with the party’s values.