Shivakumar Orders Inquiry After Three Dalit Ministers Stopped at Mysuru Palace Puja
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has ordered an inquiry after police stopped three Dalit ministers at the Mysuru Palace during the Dasara puja. The incident has since snowballed into a political controversy centred on social justice and the treatment of ministers belonging to marginalised communities.
The ministers were reportedly prevented from proceeding during the ceremonial worship held at the palace complex, an episode that quickly drew attention from opposition parties and social groups. Questions have been raised about how the security arrangements were handled and whether protocol was applied in a discriminatory manner.
The Chief Minister's directive for a probe is aimed at establishing the sequence of events and fixing responsibility for the lapse, if any. Political reactions have been sharp, with several leaders framing the matter as a test of the government's commitment to equality and dignity for all its representatives.
As the inquiry proceeds, the episode underlines the sensitivity surrounding caste and public ceremonies in the state, and the pressure on authorities to ensure that official functions remain free of any perception of exclusion.
