Mysuru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed visible anger at members of the audience during the inauguration of the Dasara festivities in Mysuru on Monday, questioning why they were leaving before his speech began.
Incident at Dasara inauguration
The event, inaugurated by International Booker Prize 2025 winner Banu Musthaq, was underway when Siddaramaiah noticed several attendees exiting the venue prematurely.
Raising his voice, the Chief Minister asked police personnel to stop people from leaving and addressed the departing audience directly:
“Why do you come when you can’t sit for a while?” he asked. Pointing to one individual, he added, “Can’t you understand when told? Why do you come here? It is better you sit at home.”
After addressing the disruptions, Siddaramaiah continued with his speech and the event proceeded without further interruptions.
Previous incidents of frustration
This is not the first time Siddaramaiah has lost his composure in public. In April 2025, during a Congress rally in Belagavi, the CM was confronted by a group of BJP women workers who waved black flags and raised slogans while he was speaking.
Frustrated, Siddaramaiah summoned the officer-on-duty onto the stage and raised his hand at the officer, an incident that sparked widespread outrage and discussion across the state. The police officer initially submitted a voluntary retirement letter but later withdrew it and resumed duty.
Public reactions
The latest outburst at the Dasara inauguration has drawn attention on social media and in local media outlets. Many observers noted the CM’s strong reaction as a reflection of the challenges political leaders face in maintaining decorum during large public events.
Conclusion
While the Dasara festivities continued as planned, the incident highlights the sensitivity of public leaders to audience behaviour and the fine balance between protocol, security, and engagement during major cultural events in Karnataka.