Mysuru: BJP Karnataka president B Y Vijayendra has criticised the Congress leadership amid the ongoing war of words involving the erstwhile Mysuru royal family, demanding an apology from Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Mysuru district in-charge Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah over their remarks concerning the family.

Addressing a media conference in Mysuru on Wednesday, Vijayendra said the comments made by Yathindra towards the members of the erstwhile royal family were unacceptable and called for greater sensitivity and courtesy in public discourse.

Vijayendra acknowledged that India was now a democracy and that the erstwhile royal family had accepted the change. However, he argued that democratic values should not be used to justify disrespect towards members of the family.

He said the family members should be treated with dignity, even if they were regarded as ordinary citizens rather than royals.

BJP criticises remarks against erstwhile royal family

Vijayendra described the alleged disrespect shown by Yathindra as an unpardonable act and demanded an apology from both the minister and Chief Minister Shivakumar.

His remarks came amid a public disagreement over the conduct of Mysuru Dasara and the concerns raised by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, the senior member of the erstwhile royal family, regarding the arrangements for the annual celebrations.

The BJP state president argued that the family’s historical association with Mysuru and its traditions called for a respectful approach, even as he acknowledged the democratic framework under which the country functions.

The controversy has brought political attention to the relationship between the state government and the erstwhile royal family, particularly over the conduct of the city’s signature cultural and religious festival.

Dispute follows Pramoda Devi’s concerns over Dasara

The latest exchange follows Pramoda Devi Wadiyar’s criticism of the arrangements made for Mysuru Dasara 2026.

In a statement issued on October 25, she expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of government departments and police personnel during the celebrations. She alleged that recurring problems involving coordination, security arrangements and access to the Mysuru Palace had caused inconvenience and interfered with the family’s customary religious ceremonies.

Pramoda Devi also raised concerns about communication between the Palace Police, Mysuru District Police, Karnataka State Reserve Police personnel and other security teams deployed for the festival.

She called on the government to consider suggestions aimed at improving coordination and the conduct of the celebrations.

Her remarks prompted responses from Shivakumar and Yathindra, who challenged aspects of her criticism. The resulting exchange has since developed into a broader debate over the role and status of the erstwhile royal family in contemporary Mysuru.

Yathindra’s remarks intensify controversy

Yathindra had reportedly said that the Mysuru Palace belonged to the government and that the family had been generously permitted to reside in a portion of the property.

The statement drew criticism from Vijayendra, who argued that the minister should have shown greater consideration in his choice of words.

Vijayendra’s demand for an apology has added a political dimension to the dispute, with the BJP questioning the Congress leaders’ response to the concerns raised by Pramoda Devi.

The controversy centres on competing views about the government’s responsibility for organising Dasara, the management of security and access during the festival, and the manner in which the erstwhile royal family should be treated while carrying out its traditional ceremonies.

The latest developments have kept the disagreement over Mysuru Dasara 2026 in the public spotlight, with the BJP demanding an apology from the chief minister and the district in-charge minister.