Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader R. Ashoka on Thursday, 22 October alleged that the Karnataka Congress government's claims of championing social justice had been exposed as hollow, after police personnel allegedly prevented three Cabinet ministers from participating in the Nandi Dhwaja puja during the Mysuru Dasara Jamboo Savari procession on 21 October. The incident occurred near the Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple within the Mysuru Palace premises, drawing sharp political reactions across the state.

What Happened at Mysuru Palace

Ministers Shivaraj Tangadagi, P.M. Narendra Swamy, and K.S. Basavanthappa were reportedly stopped by police personnel, including Superintendent of Police C.B. Rishyanth, who was deputed for security arrangements during the Dasara celebrations. The ministers were reportedly denied entry to the ritual venue. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar later said he personally intervened to facilitate their entry once he became aware of the situation.

Shivakumar acknowledged that the officers had 'behaved arrogantly' and said such conduct could not be tolerated. He directed Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to conduct an inquiry and submit a report identifying those responsible.

BJP's Allegations: A Dalit Angle

Ashoka did not limit his criticism to the conduct of the police. He pointedly noted that all three ministers who were stopped belong to the Dalit community and questioned whether this was coincidental or part of a 'systematic attempt to undermine Dalit leaders.' He alleged that the incident revealed the hollowness of the Congress government's rhetoric on Scheduled Communities.

'If police officers have the audacity to publicly stop ministers holding senior positions in the government, who is behind this? Were there secret instructions from the top?' Ashoka asked, directing his remarks at Chief Minister Shivakumar. He demanded that the Chief Minister take personal responsibility and issue a public apology, rather than deflecting accountability onto the police officers involved.

Inquiry Ordered, But BJP Calls It Deflection

While the state government's decision to order an inquiry was formally announced by Shivakumar on Thursday, Ashoka dismissed it as an attempt to 'suppress the matter' and shield those responsible. He warned that any such attempt would invite a strong reaction from the Dalit community and the wider public.

Notably, Ashoka accused the Congress of historically exploiting Dalit issues for electoral gain while allowing Dalit leaders to face 'humiliating situations' within the very administration the party runs. He argued that the government could not evade moral responsibility by making officials scapegoats.

Dasara Arrangements Also Under Fire

Beyond the Dalit ministers row, Ashoka also criticised the state government's management of the broader Mysuru Dasara celebrations. He alleged that members of the public who had purchased tickets worth ₹2,000 were unable to gain entry to the venue, calling it evidence of administrative mismanagement and negligence.

'Dasara is a festival of the people, not a platform for the government's publicity,' he said, accusing the ruling side of prioritising self-promotion over public convenience, security, and visitor facilities.

Political Context and What Comes Next

The episode arrives at a sensitive moment for the Congress government in Karnataka, which came to power in May 2023 with a significant share of votes from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. Any perception that Dalit ministers were publicly humiliated — regardless of the cause — carries political weight ahead of upcoming local body elections.

The Chief Secretary's inquiry report is awaited, and its findings — particularly on whether any higher-level instructions contributed to the police action — will determine how the controversy unfolds. For now, both sides have dug in, with the BJP demanding accountability and the Congress government maintaining that corrective action was taken promptly.