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‘Will Die As Congressman’: Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar Ready To Apologise Over RSS Anthem Row

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D K Shivakumar offered to apologise for singing the RSS prayer in the Karnataka Assembly, reaffirming his loyalty to Congress and the Gandhi family amid criticism.

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Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (Image: PTI/File)

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (Image: PTI/File)

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar drew criticism after singing the RSS’ prayer song in the state assembly. Congress leaders alleged that he is trying to “impress someone” by singing RSS prayer. Refuting such claims, DK Shivakumar sharply reacted to the statement and called those questioning his loyalty to the Congress party “stupid.”

He offered an apology and said “as a loyal Congressman I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.” He also asserted he was a Congressman and would die as one.

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Notably, Senior Congress leader B K Hariprasad on Monday reacted to the incident and wondered that if Shivakumar was trying to “impress someone” by singing the RSS’ prayer inside the Assembly.

Shivakumar, also the state Congress president, sent shockwaves by singing the RSS prayer song on the floor of the House.

On August 21, during a debate in the Karnataka Assembly, Shivakumar recited a couple of lines of the RSS’ prayer “Namaste Sada Vatsale…”.

DK Shivakumar Offered To Apologise

Addressing the reporters, Shivakumar said his ‘relationship with the Gandhi family is that of devotee and God’.

“I’m not bigger than anyone, my life is there to give strength to everyone. I have stood by everyone in their difficulty, still I stand by them…as a loyal Congressman I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings… If you want an apology, yes. For all the Congressmen and many political party friends of INDIA bloc they may be hurt,” Karnataka’s Deputy CM added.

“If you feel that I have done a mistake, which I have not done, I’m still ready to apologise,” he added.

Further reaffirming his loyalty to the Congress party and Gandhi family, Shivakumar said, “My loyalty to the Congress party and Gandhi family cannot be questioned by anyone. I’m a born Congressman, I will die as a Congressman.”

“We have no objection to Shivakumar reciting the prayer as the Deputy CM because a government belongs to all, including the RSS. If he said it as Congress president, he’ll have to apologise,” B K Hariprasad said on Monday.

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