Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he did not want media to discuss his attending the Maha Shivarathri celebrations at Isha Foundation, terming it ‘my personal belief.’
DK Shivakumar was responding to the row over his meeting with Sadhguru who the Congress leader said personally invited him.
‘I attended the Maha Shivarathri celebrations at Isha Foundation. It is my personal belief. I can't reply to everyone who posts something on social media. I don't want the BJP or anyone to welcome it. I don't want the media to discuss this either. This is purely my personal belief. Sadguru is from Mysuru, and he personally invited me for the event,’ Shivakumar reportedly said.
Further, he made it clear that he believes in his faith, and any opposition by people doesn't deter him. However, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary PV Mohan said on social media platform X that Shivakumar's visit to the Isha Foundation ‘damages the core’ of the party.
Expanding on his stand, Shivakumar said: ‘I often go to Nonavinakere mutt, and people ask me why I go there so often but not to my community mutt. I go where my faith is. I go where I feel reassured.’
Shivakumar pointed out that the majority of voters in his constituency are scheduled castes and tribes alongside 99 per cent of the Brahmins there vote for him, adding ‘Can we say all Brahmins vote for the BJP? I don't politics of caste and religion, but I do politics of principle’.
The Deputy Chief Minister on Wednesday said he was a born Congressman, terming reports of him getting closer to the BJP ‘ false propaganda’.
‘I was born a Congressman, and I cherish it. It is being misled that I am getting closer to the BJP, which is a false conspiracy against me,’ Shivakumar was quoted as saying.
Emphasizing his stand further Shivakumar said: ‘I am Hindu, and I respect all cultures. The Congress party has the doctrine of taking everyone together. Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru and Indira Gandhi have done the same. I have seen Sonia Gandhi celebrating the Ugadi festival. She has adopted Indianity rather than us. We have such leadership.’