In a controversy that has shaken the Congress party in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is facing internal criticism after attending a Mahashivratri event hosted by Sadhguru, the founder of Isha Foundation, and sharing the stage with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The event, held on Wednesday, was part of a night-long festival organized by Isha Foundation, featuring musical performances and meditation sessions led by Sadhguru.

Shivakumar’s act of thanking Sadhguru on social media and sharing the invitation for the event has not gone down well with several Congress leaders, including PV Mohan, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary. Mohan took to the social media platform X to voice his disapproval, criticizing Shivakumar for undermining the party’s core values. Mohan questioned how Shivakumar, in his capacity as the state Congress president and a leader in a secular party, could align himself with someone who had mocked party leader Rahul Gandhi.

In his post, Mohan remarked, “How can you thank someone who mocks Rahul Gandhi while serving as president of a secular party?” He was referring to a thank-you message posted by Shivakumar after his invitation to the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. While Shivakumar attended the event to mark Mahashivratri, Mohan argued that both the Isha Foundation and Sadhguru’s ideologies align closely with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its parent organization, RSS. “We are totally against RSS ideologies, and Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly mentioned that anyone who aligns with them can leave the party,” Mohan clarified in an interview with India Today.

Despite the controversy, Mohan emphasized that he did not object to Shivakumar visiting temples, but he believed the Deputy Chief Minister’s actions should reflect the secular values that the party espouses. Mohan also pointed out the discrepancy of Shivakumar attending an event with Amit Shah, a leader widely associated with divisive politics, which he felt was inappropriate for a Congress leader.

This internal friction comes amid ongoing power struggles and speculation about leadership within the Congress in Karnataka. Shivakumar, however, has denied any BJP connections, stressing that while he is a devout Hindu, he has always been a Congressman at heart. His response to the criticism regarding his visits to temples and participation in religious events has only intensified the debate within the party, highlighting the growing tensions between personal beliefs and party politics.