Is Shivkumar on the path of soft Hindutva, contrary to the ideology of Congress?

Karnataka Politics: A Tale of Two Approaches… CM Siddaramaiah’s Secularism vs Deputy CM Shivakumar’s Soft Hindutva.

B Upendran | HENB | Bengaluru | June 1, 2025:: In the midst of Karnataka’s vibrant political landscape, a subtle yet significant shift is underway. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s recent endeavors have sparked intense debate, as he seemingly adopts a “soft Hindutva” approach, diverging from the Congress party’s traditional secular stance maintained by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The Soft Hindutva Strategy
Shivakumar’s recent activities have been noteworthy. He took a holy dip in Prayagraj’s Kumbh Mela, attended Maha Shivaratri celebrations at Coimbatore’s Isha Yoga Center alongside Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and performed Lingabhishek at Belagavi’s Kapileshwar temple. These actions have led many to speculate about a potential ideological shift within the Congress party.

Cauvery Aarti: A Symbol of Cultural Heritage
Shivakumar is now championing the Cauvery Aarti initiative, modeled after the Ganga Aarti in Banaras. With a budget of Rs 92 crore allocated for the project, the Aarti is set to be held three days a week, featuring heads of monasteries from Bengaluru and across the state. This move aims to promote Karnataka’s culture and heritage.

Contrasting Approaches: Shivakumar vs. Siddaramaiah
The contrast between Shivakumar’s approach and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s secular stance is striking. While Siddaramaiah focuses on strengthening the Ahinda vote bank, Shivakumar appears to be creating a new vote bank, potentially setting the stage for a fierce competition in the 2028 assembly elections.

Implications and Speculations
Shivakumar’s soft Hindutva stance has raised several questions:
– Alternative Vote Bank: Is Shivakumar promoting an alternative Hindu vote bank within the party?
– Pressure for Chief Minister Post: Or is this an attempt to put pressure on the party high command to consider him for the Chief Minister position?
– Party Dynamics: What implications does this have for the Congress party’s internal dynamics and electoral prospects?

As the political landscape in Karnataka continues to evolve, one thing is certain – the battle for votes and influence is heating up. With Shivakumar’s soft Hindutva approach and Siddaramaiah’s secular stance, the Congress party’s ideological positioning will be closely watched, potentially shaping its electoral fortunes in the coming days.

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__Agency Inputs.