Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar has apologised after a video of him singing the RSS anthem in the state Assembly triggered criticism and political backlash. The 73-second clip showed him reciting Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhume, widely regarded as the anthem of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
Shivakumar said he never intended to praise the RSS and emphasised his long association with the Congress. “In 1980, I began my journey as a Congressman and studied the history of various political parties. I have been tortured by the BJP and even jailed in Tihar. If anyone is hurt by this incident, I seek forgiveness,” he told reporters in Bengaluru.
Reaffirming his loyalty, he added, “I was born a Congressman, I will die as a Congressman. The Gandhi family is my God, and I am fully committed to the party.”
The BJP seized on the video, pointing to Shivakumar’s remarks as evidence of double standards in Congress criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reference to the RSS during his Independence Day address. Within the Congress, discontent also surfaced, with senior leader BK Hariprasad asking Shivakumar to apologise and minister G Parameshwara noting that the party high command is monitoring the matter and will respond if required.
