MYSURU: Karnataka Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah has acknowledged a protocol lapse during the 2026 Mysuru Dasara Jamboo Savari while defending Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s wife, Usha Shivakumar, over her participation in the traditional floral offering ceremony.
The controversy arose after Usha joined dignitaries on the dais at Mysuru Palace on October 21 to offer flowers to Goddess Chamundeshwari during the Jamboo Savari procession. Her participation drew objections from BJP MLA T.S. Srivatsa, who questioned whether she had been authorised to take part in the official ceremony.
Speaking to reporters, Yathindra said Usha’s name was not included in the official list of dignitaries scheduled to offer floral tributes to the deity. He also pointed out that the names of the chief ministers of Kerala and Telangana were reportedly absent from the list, although they participated in the ceremony.
Yathindra defends Usha Shivakumar’s participation
Yathindra defended the Chief Minister’s wife, arguing that she had only offered flowers to the goddess and had not performed any government-related duty.
He maintained that her participation should not be treated as a serious offence, even if a protocol lapse had occurred. His remarks came amid criticism over the arrangements made for the traditional ceremony and questions about who was authorised to stand on the dais.
The minister’s explanation placed the focus on the distinction between participation in a religious ritual and the discharge of official responsibilities. However, the question of whether the arrangements complied with the prescribed protocol remains a matter of administrative scrutiny.
The controversy has drawn attention to the procedures followed while preparing the list of dignitaries and deciding who could participate in the floral offering ceremony.
BJP MLA T.S. Srivatsa questions protocol
BJP MLA T.S. Srivatsa alleged that the presence of Usha on the dais amounted to a violation of the protocol announced for the event.
According to Srivatsa, only eight designated dignitaries were permitted to offer floral tributes to Goddess Chamundeshwari. He questioned why Usha was allowed to participate when her name was reportedly not on the approved list.
Srivatsa also questioned the role of district administration officials in enforcing the arrangements. He said the officials responsible for managing the event should have ensured that only authorised persons entered the designated area.
The BJP MLA indicated that he intended to raise the issue with the appropriate authorities. His objections came alongside wider criticism of the arrangements for the Nandi Dhwaja Pooja, another important ritual held at Mysuru Palace before the Jamboo Savari procession.
Separate controversy over ministers being stopped
The protocol debate intensified after several Karnataka ministers and elected representatives were reportedly stopped by police personnel from entering the designated area for the Nandi Dhwaja Pooja on October 21.
Ministers H.C. Balakrishna, P.M. Narendraswamy, K.S. Basavanthappa and Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi were among those involved in the incident, according to media reports. The ministers were allowed inside after their identities were clarified and the Chief Minister intervened.
The episode prompted criticism of the security arrangements and the handling of elected representatives during the state’s flagship cultural festival.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar subsequently directed Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit a report. He said responsibility would be fixed after the findings were examined.
Yathindra also questioned why ministers had been prevented from entering the venue, adding another dimension to the debate over protocol and security during the celebrations.
Inquiry expected to clarify administrative lapses
The two controversies have raised questions about how protocol lists were prepared, how entry restrictions were communicated and how officials coordinated security arrangements during the Dasara ceremonies.
While Srivatsa has alleged a violation involving the Chief Minister’s wife, Yathindra has defended her participation and argued that the act should not be treated as an offence. The precise administrative implications will depend on the applicable protocol and the findings of any review.
The inquiry ordered by the Chief Minister primarily concerns the incident in which ministers were stopped from entering the Nandi Dhwaja Pooja venue. Its findings are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding that incident and whether officials followed the instructions issued for the event.
The developments have kept the conduct of the 2026 Mysuru Dasara ceremonies in the spotlight even after the Jamboo Savari concluded. The debate now centres on accountability, the enforcement of official arrangements and the need for better coordination during major public events.