Udupi: The Udupi District Congress Committee has sought disciplinary action against Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa, alleging that she violated government service conduct rules by publicly displaying an RSS flag during a religious event held in Udupi earlier this week. The issue has triggered a political controversy, with the BJP strongly defending the officer and accusing the Congress of targeting Hindu traditions.
In a formal representation submitted to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday, the Congress committee’s legal and human rights department alleged that the district commissioner held and raised an RSS flag during the early-morning ‘Paryaya’ procession held on January 18.
Allegations of violation during Paryaya procession
According to the complaint, the centuries-old Paryaya religious procession began around 3 am and proceeded from Jodukatte to the historic Sri Krishna Math in Udupi. The Congress alleged that before the commencement of the procession, Udupi BJP MLA Yashpal Suvarna handed over an RSS flag to the deputy commissioner, who then displayed it in public view.
The Congress committee claimed that such an act amounts to a clear violation of the Karnataka Civil Services Conduct Rules, which require government officers to maintain political neutrality while in service. The representation further stated that displaying the flag of an organisation linked to a political ideology during an official or public function undermines the constitutional principle of secularism.
“This conduct is highly objectionable and undermines the neutrality expected of a civil servant,” the complaint submitted to the chief minister stated, urging the government to order a formal enquiry and initiate appropriate legal and disciplinary action against the officer.
Congress demands formal enquiry
Leaders of the Udupi District Congress Committee said the issue is not about religious practices but about adherence to service rules and constitutional values. They argued that civil servants are expected to remain impartial and avoid actions that could be perceived as endorsing any political or ideological organisation.
The party warned that failure to act on the complaint could set a dangerous precedent and erode public trust in the administrative machinery. Congress leaders also demanded that clear guidelines be reiterated to government officers regarding participation in religious or cultural events.
BJP defends DC, accuses Congress of bias
The BJP, however, hit back strongly at the Congress, accusing it of targeting Hindu traditions for political reasons. BJP leaders defended the district commissioner and claimed that the flag in question was the Bhagwa or saffron flag, which they described as a sacred symbol of Hindu culture rather than a political emblem.
Reacting to the Congress demand, Udupi BJP MLA Yashpal Suvarna said that the Bhagwa flag has been an integral part of the Paryaya Mahotsava tradition, which has been observed in Udupi for several centuries. He termed the Congress complaint as inappropriate and misleading.
“Comparing the Bhagwa flag to any political or foreign symbol is wrong. It is a sacred Hindu symbol. Treating its display as a violation reflects the Congress party’s anti-Hindu mindset and vote-bank politics,” Suvarna alleged in a post on X.
BJP alleges politicisation of religious customs
The BJP’s Karnataka unit also issued a statement accusing the Congress of opposing Sanatan Dharma and attempting to politicise a long-standing religious tradition. The party claimed that the Congress selectively objects to Hindu customs while remaining silent on other religious practices.
“The Paryaya Mahotsava is a centuries-old tradition deeply rooted in the spiritual and cultural life of Udupi. The Congress is deliberately creating controversy by misrepresenting religious symbols as political,” the statement said.
BJP leaders further warned that people of the state would respond to what they described as repeated interference in Hindu customs and traditions.
Political tensions escalate
The controversy has intensified political tensions in coastal Karnataka, a region where religious and cultural issues often intersect with electoral politics. While the Congress maintains that its demand is based on constitutional propriety and service rules, the BJP has framed the issue as an attack on Hindu identity and traditions.
So far, there has been no official response from the state government or the deputy commissioner regarding the allegations.
Conclusion
The demand for action against the Udupi deputy commissioner has sparked a fresh political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP in Karnataka. As the Congress presses for a formal enquiry citing service rule violations and secular principles, the BJP continues to defend the act as part of a centuries-old Hindu tradition. The state government’s response to the complaint is now keenly awaited, as it could have wider implications for the conduct of civil servants during religious and cultural events.