CD Web Desk
A political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after Udupi Deputy Commissioner T. K. Swaroopa was seen waving a saffron flag during a religious procession linked to the Sri Krishna Mutt in Udupi on Sunday. The Udupi district Congress legal and human rights department has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking action against the official for allegedly waving an “RSS flag”.
The BJP seized upon the complaint to accuse the Congress-led state government of being anti-Hindu. Swaroopa, however, clarified that she flagged off the procession in her official capacity as administrator of the Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC).
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when a procession was taken out from Jodukatte to the Sri Krishna Mutt as part of the biannual Paryayotsava. According to the complaint filed by Harish Shetty, president of the Udupi Congress legal and human rights department, BJP MLA Yashpal Suvarna handed over the saffron flag to the DC, who then raised it before the gathering.
A video circulating on social media shows the MLA handing over a saffron flag bearing the ‘Om’ symbol, which the DC is seen waving as devotees assembled for the procession. Shetty termed the act a violation of government service rules and constitutional secular values, calling it condemnable and urging the Chief Minister to initiate action. The petition, dated January 19, was also sent to Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar and Chief Secretary of Karnataka.
Reacting sharply, the Karnataka BJP shared the petition on social media platform X on Tuesday evening and criticised the Congress for seeking action against the district commissioner for flagging off a centuries-old religious event. Accusing the Congress of appeasement politics, the BJP claimed the party routinely obstructs Hindu religious practices.
Responding to the controversy, Swaroopa said her participation was administrative and not politically motivated. “I flagged off the event as the administrator of the Udupi CMC. I also attended the felicitation of new yatis and the seer’s Darbar in an official capacity,” she said.
