Mysuru: A controversy has erupted over an alleged incident in which Superintendent of Police CB Rishyanth, deputed for security arrangements during Mysuru Dasara, stopped three Dalit ministers from participating in the Nandi Dhwaja puja during the Jamboo Savari procession on October 21.
The incident reportedly occurred near the Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple within the Mysuru Palace premises, where the ritual was held in the presence of Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The episode has triggered criticism from Dalit organisations and progressive thinkers, with questions raised over the conduct of the police officer and the arrangements governing entry to the venue.
Videos showing exchanges between the ministers and the police officer have circulated widely on social media, intensifying the controversy.
Three ministers allegedly denied entry
According to reports, Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadgi, Agriculture Minister PM Narendra Swamy and Muzrai Minister KS Basavanteppa were initially prevented from entering the venue by SP Rishyanth.
Mysuru district in-charge Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah was reportedly allowed to enter the venue alongside Chief Minister Shivakumar, while the three other ministers were stopped.
The incident has raised questions about the instructions issued to security personnel and the criteria used to determine which elected representatives could participate in the ceremony.
According to the account of the incident, ministers and MLAs accompanying the Chief Minister are generally permitted to take part in the ritual. The reasons for the restrictions imposed on the three ministers were not immediately clear.
Exchanges between ministers and police officer
When Shivaraj Tangadgi attempted to proceed towards the puja venue, SP Rishyanth allegedly blocked his way. Tangadgi subsequently pushed past the officer to enter, expressing his displeasure at being prevented from participating in the ritual.
The police officer reportedly then stood in the way of PM Narendra Swamy and KS Basavanteppa, preventing them from proceeding towards the venue.
The situation drew the attention of Chief Minister Shivakumar, who intervened and instructed the officer to allow the ministers to participate in the puja.
Narendra Swamy reportedly reprimanded the officer during the exchange, asking him not to touch him and to maintain an appropriate distance.
Following the Chief Minister’s intervention, the ministers were allowed to enter the venue and participate in the ritual.
The incident has prompted questions about the handling of security arrangements during the ceremony and the manner in which the police dealt with elected representatives.
Tanveer Sait also reportedly stopped
The controversy extended beyond the three ministers. Senior Congress MLA Tanveer Sait was also reportedly prevented by the SP from reaching the puja venue.
Chief Minister Shivakumar subsequently intervened and accompanied Sait to the site so that he could participate in the worship.
Other local MLAs and MLCs were reportedly left watching the ritual from a distance after being denied entry to the venue.
The reported restrictions have raised concerns about access arrangements for elected representatives during official ceremonies associated with Mysuru Dasara, one of Karnataka’s most prominent cultural celebrations.
Dalit organisations raise concerns
The incident has taken on a sensitive dimension because the three ministers who were initially stopped belong to the Dalit community.
Dalit organisations and progressive thinkers have condemned the reported incident, questioning why the ministers were prevented from participating in the ritual and whether any specific instructions had been issued to the police.
The controversy has also fuelled a wider debate about the treatment of leaders from Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, the conduct of security personnel and the role of protocol during public ceremonies.
Questions have been raised about who directed the SP to restrict entry to the venue and whether the restrictions were based on established security procedures or other instructions.
However, the available account does not establish whether the officer acted under specific orders or what reasons the police may have had for initially restricting access.
Questions over security protocol
The episode has placed the spotlight on the coordination between the police, the district administration and elected representatives during major public events.
Security arrangements are an important part of the Jamboo Savari procession, which attracts large crowds and senior government officials. At the same time, the reported incident has highlighted the need for clear communication about access to ceremonial venues and the treatment of public representatives.
The controversy is likely to keep attention focused on the circumstances surrounding the Nandi Dhwaja puja and whether the restrictions imposed at the venue followed established protocol.
No official explanation from SP CB Rishyanth or the police department was included in the account of the incident. The reasons for the initial denial of entry and whether any disciplinary or administrative action will follow remain unclear.