The Karnataka government is set to host a grand Cauvery ‘Aarti’ today at Bengaluru’s Sankey Tank. While officials claimed it is a cultural homage to the river that provides for the state, the move has become the latest political spectacle. A larger question looms—what is the Congress government trying to prove? Is this an attempt to shake off its minority-pleasing tag and woo the Hindus? The Cauvery river, Karnataka’s lifeline, is no stranger to controversy. From decades of disputes over sharing its waters with Tamil Nadu to becoming a symbol of Kannada pride, the river has always been a political flashpoint.
BJP has frequently used it to hold the government responsible for the state’s mounting water crisis, the Congress is taking advantage of the river’s sanctity — only this time, it is with incense sticks and devotional chants. The Cauvery river, Karnataka’s lifeline, is no stranger to controversy. From decades of disputes over sharing its waters with Tamil Nadu to becoming a symbol of Kannada pride, the river has always been a political flashpoint.
At the centre of this spectacle is Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who insists that the Aarti is about water conservation. But the sheer scale of the event — clearly inspired by the deeply religious Ganga Aarti — piques curiosity. Congress, which has traditionally distanced itself from overt religious symbolism, appears to be borrowing a page from the BJP’s playbook.
The timing, too, is notable. The BJP and its NDA ally, JD(S), have frequently attacked the Congress for being too friendly to minorities — especially in light of the ongoing debate about the 4 per cent Muslim quota bill. If the Congress had a temple run, DK Shivakumar would be leading the procession — brass bells, milk offerings, and all. His recent religious outings have been as frequent as they have been flamboyant, leading many to wonder whether Karnataka Congress has its own champion of soft Hindutva.
Shivakumar, along with his wife, took a high-profile dip at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, braving the cold waters of the Sangam. If that wasn’t enough, he followed it up with a grand Lingabhisheka at Belagavi’s Kapileshwar temple, pouring 111 litres of milk over the Shivalinga — a spectacle that even some BJP leaders would struggle to match. Shivakumar made an appearance at Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore, sharing space with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.