Overview

• The Deputy Chief Minister recited the opening lines of the RSS anthem during a heated debate on the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede that killed 11 people.
• The moment followed BJP leader R. Ashoka’s reminder of Shivakumar’s past attendance at RSS shakhas, drawing bench-thumping from BJP MLAs as the clip spread online.
• Shivakumar told reporters he is a “born Congressman” with no intention of joining BJP or RSS, saying he studies rivals and has “gone very deep” into the RSS.
• Defending his role in RCB’s victory celebrations, he cited his duties as Bengaluru in‑charge minister and KSCA member and said the government acted quickly against officers and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
• BJP leaders mocked the Congress over the video while some politicians framed the gesture as harmless; no formal party action against Shivakumar was reported.