DK Shivakumar Says 'Was Born As Hindu, Die As One': Is Another Rebellion Brewing in Congress?

Bengaluru: Senior Congress party leader DK Shivakumar has said that he was born as Hindu and will die as one after many party leaders criticised him for attending the Mahashivratri celebrations in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore organised by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's Isha Yoga Centre on Thursday. The event was also attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah .

"I am a Hindu. I am a born Hindu and I will die as a Hindu but I love and respect all the religions,” DK Shivakumar said. 

Shivakumar's retort to Congress over his Hindu identity has come after a section of party leaders including All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary PV Mohan questioned his presence at the event saying thanking for an invitation to someone who has mocked Rahul Gandhi sends out a wrong message to party workers.

PV Mohan shared a screenshot of invitation to Shivakumar by Sadhguru to attend Mahashivratri event on X, formerly Twitter and wrote, “Thanking for an invitation from someone who mocks RG, the hope of the nation & aligns with RSS’s narrative, while serving as a president of a secular party, it misleads party workers. It is conviction rather than compromise ensures the party’s growth. Otherwise, it damages the core.” 

Targeted by a section of his own party leaders, does it signal that another rebellion brewing in the Congress party as DK Shivakumar has defended his Hindu identity and visits to Sanatan events unapologetically.   

DK Shivakumar refers to Lord Shiv in Mallikarjun Kharge's name, asks will he change it

Being questioned by the Congress leaders over his presence in the Mahashivratri event in Coimbatore which was also attended by Amit Shah, DK Shivakumar referred to Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge's name saying it means Shiva and asked Will he change it? I was born as Hindu and will die as a Hindu."

Shivakumar lauds Mahakumbh management by BJP -led Yogi govt

The Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, who also attended Mahakumbh festival in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj had praised event's management and arrangements made by the BJP government.

“My experience regarding Mahakumbh was very good. I appreciated the way they organised it. It is not a small job. There might be some problems here and there. Trains may have caused problems. I don't like to find faults. It is very satisfactory.”

Further speaking about his visit to Coimbatore for Mahashivratri celebrations, Shivakumar informed that he admires Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's knowledge, he's a great man who had come to invite him for the event from Tamil Nadu. 

Shivakumar on rumours of getting close to BJP

After DK Shivakumar's visit to Mahakumbh and now Mahashivratri event in Coimbatore, many speculated whether another rebellion was brewing in the Congess party and or if he was trying to get close with the BJP.

Responding to these rumours, the senior Congress leader said that there were some social media posts suggesting that he was getting close to the BJP but he hasn't met Amit Shah yet.