Karnataka Congress leader DK Shivakumar sings RSS anthem in Assembly, party denies rebellion

The Congress refuted any rebellion from its Karnataka leader DK Shivakumar on Friday after the state’s Deputy CM’s gesture to sing the RSS anthem inside the Assembly created a stir within political circles and was interpreted by many as a “strong message” to the party’s top brass for staking his claim for the CM chair.

A senior Congress leader in New Delhi, rebutted any sort of “political gimmick” being played by Shivakumar. He instead said Shivakumar’s singing of the RSS anthem had a message for the saffron party —BJP — that “there is nothing special or nationalistic” in it.

Another Congress leader said that Shivakumar’s singing of the RSS anthem inside the state Assembly is “not something out of devotion for RSS”. “He merely meant that look, I know what you (RSS) are and the Congress is the party that is nationalistic. He meant the RSS anthem is just a poem for me,” said another Congress leader.

Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Surjewala didn’t respond for his comment.

There has been a tussle between current Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the highest post in Karnataka, while the latter’s gesture was interpreted as him joining hands with RSS and BJP. Also, the gesture grabbed eyeballs considering the Congress deems RSS as “communal” and a “threat” to the country’s secular credentials.

Both leaders have been frequently flying to New Delhi to put their points before the top brass. However, the party high command, as per insiders, has strongly urged both leaders to keep quiet until the Bihar election is over.

Yesterday, on August 21, Congress leader Shivakumar sang the RSS anthem, “Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhoome”, during a debate inside the state Assembly. The video of the incident also went viral on social media today. He sang the RSS anthem during a heated debate inside the Assembly on the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede that killed 11 persons.

It was after BJP’s R Ashoka demanded the resignation of Shivakumar, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, and state Home Minister G Parameshwara for the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede in June this year. BJP accused the government of abetting the tragedy by creating “mass frenzy” during RCB’s victory celebrations.

Shivakumar, defending himself, said he had gone to the airport and stadium in his capacity as Bengaluru in-charge minister and as a KSCA member. “I did my job. The accident happened. Such things have happened in other states as well. If needed, I will read out the list of incidents that have occurred elsewhere,” he told the House.

“Even I know how to respond, as I have been trained under senior leader Parameshwara, though not under you,” Shivakumar said. As BJP members pressed further, Ashoka reminded Shivakumar of his past remarks about having once worn the RSS uniform.

Shivakumar responded by reciting the first stanza of the RSS anthem inside the Assembly. The unusual moment drew laughter and table-thumping from the Opposition benches.

Earlier, Shivakumar had also admitted that he attended RSS shakhas during his school days in Bengaluru’s Rajajinagar. His remarks have come at a time when the Congress has been at loggerheads with RSS, an ideological organisation of BJP.

However, Shivakumar dismissed speculation that his RSS anthem recital carried any political signal. “I am a born Congressman, my blood, my life, everything is here. I have researched all political parties. I know how RSS is building institutions in Karnataka, acquiring schools and preaching to children. As a leader, I must know who my opponents are and who my friends are. But politically, we have a lot of differences. No joining hands, I will lead the Congress with all my strength,” he said.