Shivakumar urges PM Modi: 'Help Karnataka, save Karnataka' at Mysuru event
Synopsis
Standing before PM Modi at Mysuru's Viveka Memorial inauguration, Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar made a pointed public appeal — 'help Karnataka, save Karnataka' — framing Bengaluru's global stature as a national asset that demands stronger Centre-state support. The speech blended cooperative federalism with a barely veiled demand for greater Union attention to the state.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar appealed to PM Narendra Modi to 'help Karnataka, save Karnataka' at the Viveka Memorial inauguration in Mysuru on 1 August .
Shivakumar argued that Bengaluru is the world's primary entry point to India, making Centre-state cooperation a national priority.
He credited former CM S.M.
Krishna with laying Karnataka's IT foundation and the Mysuru Maharajas with donating 300 acres for IISc in Bengaluru.
The CM invoked Swami Vivekananda's youth-centric philosophy, linking it to his government's 'Yuva Yuga, Nava Yuga' vision.
Shivakumar called for upholding the federal structure and reiterated Karnataka's readiness to work closely with the Union government.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday, 1 August made a direct appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend stronger support to the state, asserting that Bengaluru is the world's primary gateway to India and that robust Centre-state cooperation is indispensable for Karnataka's growth. The appeal came during the inauguration of the Viveka Memorial at Ramakrishna Ashrama in Mysuru, held in the Prime Minister's presence.
The Direct Appeal
Speaking at the event, Shivakumar addressed Modi in unusually direct terms. 'You should be bold-hearted to help us, help Karnataka, save Karnataka, because the entire world is looking at India and Karnataka through Bengaluru,' he said. The Chief Minister framed the appeal not as a political demand but as a call rooted in national interest, arguing that Karnataka's global stature makes Centre-state harmony a matter of broader consequence.
He further said, 'Prime Minister sir, the entire state stands with you. We want to work together. We want to uphold the federal structure. I appeal to you that we all work together.' The remarks struck a conciliatory tone even as they underscored the state government's expectation of greater Union support.
Bengaluru's Rise and Karnataka's Legacy
Shivakumar invoked the words of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to underscore Bengaluru's transformation. He recalled that Vajpayee had observed a shift in how global leaders engage with India — whereas they once arrived first in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, or Hyderabad, they now visit Bengaluru before any other Indian city.
The Chief Minister credited former Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna — who had studied at Ramakrishna institutions — with laying the foundation for the state's information technology revolution. He said Bengaluru's emergence as a global technology hub was the result of the vision and collective effort of Karnataka's people.
Shivakumar also highlighted Mysuru's contribution to India's scientific infrastructure, noting that the Mysuru Maharajas had donated approximately 300 acres of land for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru. 'The history of Mysuru is the history of the nation,' he said.
Vivekananda's Philosophy and the Government's Vision
Describing the occasion as historic, Shivakumar drew a direct line between Swami Vivekananda's youth-centric philosophy and his government's policy outlook. 'Swami Vivekananda's thoughts were youth-centric, and I am also trying to adopt that ideology. Today, the dreams of the youth are the dreams of the nation,' he said.
He cited the government's 'Yuva Yuga, Nava Yuga' vision as an expression of that ideology, adding that the energy and potential of young people in both villages and cities must be channelled through well-planned programmes. Shivakumar also recalled Vivekananda's teaching that one should remain courageous in defeat and magnanimous in victory.
Centre-State Cooperation at the Core
Throughout his address, the Chief Minister repeatedly returned to the theme of cooperative federalism, stressing that Karnataka's continued progress depends on a constructive relationship with the Union government. He assured the Ramakrishna Ashrama of the state government's full support for its youth empowerment programmes.
Shivakumar concluded by saying that Prime Minister Modi's message from the occasion would carry significance for the entire country — signalling his expectation that the event would mark a new chapter in Centre-Karnataka relations.
Point of View
Spiritual venue — was a calculated move. By anchoring his demand in Bengaluru's global brand rather than partisan grievance, he sought to make Centre support look like national self-interest, not state politics. Yet the subtext is hard to miss: Karnataka, a Congress-governed state, has repeatedly flagged what it calls an inequitable share of central tax devolution and delayed project clearances. Framing the ask through Vivekananda and cooperative federalism gives it moral cover, but the underlying fiscal and political tensions remain unresolved. Whether Modi's presence at the event translates into tangible policy movement for the state is the real question.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Karnataka CM Shivakumar say to PM Modi at the Mysuru event?
Shivakumar directly appealed to PM Modi to 'help Karnataka, save Karnataka,' arguing that Bengaluru's status as the world's gateway to India makes stronger Centre-state cooperation a national imperative. He also called for upholding the federal structure and said the entire state stands with the Prime Minister.
What is the Viveka Memorial inaugurated in Mysuru?
The Viveka Memorial is a commemorative structure inaugurated at the Ramakrishna Ashrama in Mysuru on 1 August, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event was described by CM Shivakumar as a historic occasion linked to Swami Vivekananda's legacy in Mysuru.
Why did Shivakumar invoke Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his speech?
Shivakumar cited former PM Vajpayee's observation that global leaders now visit Bengaluru before any other Indian city, a reversal from the earlier pattern of arriving first in Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai. He used this to underscore Bengaluru's transformed global standing and the importance of supporting Karnataka.
What is the 'Yuva Yuga, Nava Yuga' vision mentioned by Shivakumar?
It is the Karnataka government's youth-focused policy vision, which Shivakumar described as inspired by Swami Vivekananda's youth-centric philosophy. The CM said the dreams of young people are the dreams of the nation and pledged to channel youth energy through well-planned state programmes.
What is Karnataka's historical contribution to IISc Bengaluru?
According to Shivakumar, the Mysuru Maharajas donated approximately 300 acres of land for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, underscoring Mysuru's long-standing contribution to India's scientific development.
