MYSURU: Mysuru-Kodagu MP and royal family member Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has acknowledged that this year’s Mysuru Dasara witnessed several problems, saying there was much to discuss about the festival’s management. He also said he did not know exactly what had transpired between the police and the traditional wrestlers during the controversy surrounding the cancellation of the Vajramushti Kalaga.
Speaking to the media in Mysuru, Yaduveer said he would not oppose the arrangements merely for the sake of criticism. However, he indicated that several issues required discussion and attention.
Yaduveer says he does not know what happened during Jatti Kalaga dispute
The cancellation of the traditional Vajramushti Kalaga during Vijayadashami celebrations became a major talking point this year. The event, involving traditional wrestlers known as jattis, was reportedly cancelled after the wrestlers were unable to enter the venue within the scheduled time.
Responding to questions about the incident, Yaduveer said he was inside the Mysuru Palace and was therefore unaware of the details of what had taken place between the police personnel and the jattis.
He said he could not explain what had happened between the two sides because he had not witnessed the incident directly.
The traditional wrestling event was scheduled to take place at the Palace premises as part of the Vijayadashami rituals. Its cancellation drew attention to arrangements involving access to the venue, security personnel and the timing of traditional ceremonies.
Vijay Yatra muhurta prompted his departure
Explaining why he proceeded with the remaining rituals, Yaduveer said the auspicious time fixed for the royal family’s Vijay Yatra was nearing its end.
According to him, the family had to move ahead with the scheduled ceremony because the designated muhurta was about to expire.
The Vijay Yatra forms part of the Mysuru royal family’s traditional Vijayadashami observances. The rituals include worship associated with the Shami tree and other ceremonies conducted within the Palace premises.
Yaduveer’s remarks suggest that the royal family continued with its scheduled rituals despite the disruption surrounding the Vajramushti Kalaga.
MP acknowledges problems during this year’s Dasara
Yaduveer acknowledged that several problems had arisen during this year’s Dasara celebrations. He said he was not interested in opposing the arrangements without reason, adding that there were multiple aspects that could be discussed.
His comments come amid questions over the management of the annual festival, including security arrangements, access passes and coordination among officials, organisers and participants.
Earlier, Yaduveer had called for transparent distribution of Dasara passes based on the seating capacity of venues. He had also stressed the importance of crowd management, safety and better coordination among stakeholders.
The Mysuru royal family’s traditional celebrations and the state-organised Dasara festivities involve several ceremonies and public events, making coordination between the Palace, district administration and police an important part of the arrangements.
Jattis had raised allegations against Palace police
Following the cancellation of the Vajramushti Kalaga, members of the jatti community alleged that police personnel had delayed their entry into the Palace despite them having passes. They claimed that the delay prevented them from completing the preparatory rituals in time for the event.
The allegations were made publicly by the wrestlers and have not, by themselves, established individual responsibility for the cancellation. Yaduveer said he was unaware of the specific exchanges between the police and the wrestlers because he had remained inside the Palace.
The incident has prompted renewed discussion about access arrangements for traditional participants and the need to ensure that security procedures do not disrupt longstanding ceremonies.
Calls for better coordination and accountability
The controversy has brought attention to the challenges of managing a festival that combines religious observances, royal traditions, public celebrations and extensive security arrangements.
Yaduveer’s latest remarks acknowledge that the festival experienced difficulties while stopping short of assigning responsibility for the Vajramushti Kalaga cancellation. His statement that there was much to discuss leaves room for further examination of the issues surrounding the event.
The cancellation of the traditional wrestling ceremony and the allegations raised by the jattis have placed the spotlight on coordination between the Palace authorities and police. Any conclusions about responsibility will depend on further clarification from the concerned authorities and those involved.