Overview

• DK Shivakumar, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, attended Mahashivratri celebrations at the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore, sparking criticism from some Congress leaders.
• Shivakumar emphasized his Hindu faith and clarified that his participation was based on personal belief and an invitation from Sadhguru, dismissing allegations of political alignment with the BJP.
• AICC Secretary PV Mohan criticized Shivakumar's actions, suggesting they could harm the secular image and core values of the Congress party.
• Shivakumar reaffirmed his loyalty to the Congress, calling himself a 'born Congressman' and rejecting claims of shifting political allegiances as 'false propaganda.'
• He highlighted the Congress party's inclusive ideology and his respect for all religions, citing examples of Sonia Gandhi's cultural participation and his own engagement with diverse faiths.