Mysuru: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has ordered an inquiry into an incident in which three ministers were stopped by police personnel while proceeding to the Nandidhwaja Pooja at Mysuru Palace on Tuesday, October 20. The incident triggered a political controversy, with the Opposition BJP and JD(S) alleging that the ministers were disrespected because they belong to the Dalit community.Buy Maps
Shivakumar directed Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to identify those responsible for the incident and submit a report.
“The officials acted high-handedly by restricting the ministers. I intervened immediately to facilitate their entry. Such irresponsibility cannot be tolerated. I have therefore ordered the Chief Secretary to conduct an inquiry and submit a report,” the Chief Minister said.
Ministers stopped while proceeding to ritual
The incident involved Ministers PM Narendraswamy, KS Basavantappa and Shivaraj Tangadagi, who were following the Chief Minister towards the venue of the Nandidhwaja Pooja at Mysuru Palace during the Dasara celebrations.
Video footage of the incident shows a police officer stopping the three ministers as they attempted to proceed towards the venue. They were allowed to continue only after Shivakumar intervened and facilitated their entry.Book Local Tours
The footage subsequently circulated on social media, drawing criticism from Opposition parties and raising questions about the security arrangements and treatment of elected representatives at the event.
The Chief Minister’s decision to order an inquiry is expected to establish the circumstances in which the ministers were stopped and determine whether officials violated established procedures.
BJP and JD(S) criticise incident
The Opposition BJP and JD(S) strongly criticised the incident, alleging that the ministers had been subjected to disrespect because of their Dalit identity. The BJP also shared the video footage on social media.
The episode prompted a political debate over whether the police action was a routine enforcement of security arrangements or an instance of inappropriate treatment of the ministers.
Muzrai Minister KS Basavantappa said the ministers had not been informed of any protocol that restricted their movement during the ceremony. He questioned why they were stopped despite police personnel being aware of their positions in the government.
“We would have known about any such protocol. There was no restriction on the ministers’ movements. I don’t know why we were stopped, despite the officers knowing that we were ministers,” Basavantappa said.
He also demanded action against the officials involved in the incident.
The inquiry ordered by Shivakumar will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and the conduct of the personnel concerned.
Parameshwara cautions against giving incident a caste angle
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara sought to play down the controversy, saying the police were carrying out their duties amid security and protocol arrangements for the Dasara event.
He noted that although the ministers were initially stopped while the Chief Minister proceeded towards the venue, Shivakumar later returned and took them along.
“Although the Ministers were initially stopped while the Chief Minister moved ahead, he later returned and took them along. The police were performing their duty. There is no need to create an unnecessary controversy over the matter,” Parameshwara said.
He also objected to repeatedly identifying the three leaders as “Dalit Ministers”, questioning why their caste should be emphasised when referring to them in their official capacity.
“Should every individual be identified by their caste? Are Ministers belonging to other communities referred to by their caste?” he asked.
Parameshwara acknowledged that there could have been lapses in the handling of the situation but argued that the incident should not be turned into a major controversy.
“I am not saying there were no lapses. Such mistakes can happen. But it is not appropriate to turn minor lapses into a major controversy,” he said.
Inquiry to establish responsibility
The incident has brought the conduct of security personnel at a major public ceremony under scrutiny, with differing views emerging within the ruling establishment and the Opposition over its significance.
While Basavantappa has demanded action against the officials involved, Parameshwara has urged restraint and cautioned against interpreting the incident through a caste lens. The BJP and JD(S), meanwhile, have accused the authorities of disrespecting the ministers.
Shivakumar’s directive to the Chief Secretary places the focus on the inquiry and its findings. The report is expected to clarify why the ministers were stopped, whether any protocol justified the action and who should be held accountable for any lapses.
Courtesy : News Karnataka
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