- 2 months ago
Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, has issued an apology after singing the RSS anthem in the state assembly last week.
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00:00Hello and welcome. Good evening. You're watching Super 6 here on India Today.
00:03I'm Akshita Nandhi Gopala with the next one hour.
00:05All the day's biggest story is coming your way.
00:08Here's a look at what to expect over the next 60 minutes here on Super 6.
00:13We're going to be focusing on the big controversy that played out last week
00:17over DK Shiv Kumar singing the RSS anthem in the Assembly.
00:22Today, in a detailed press conference, the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister
00:26has issued an apology.
00:27So much so that he said that for me, Gandhis are, my God, I am a devotee for the Gandhis.
00:34What's really led to these strong statements and this apology from DK Shiv Kumar?
00:39Is it because the high command pulled him up?
00:42We'll be talking about that. That's our top focus here on Super 6.
00:45Also coming up on the show, the controversy surrounding the upcoming Karnataka Dasara Habba,
00:50the Dasara celebrations that will be kicking off in Mysore.
00:54Remember, Muslim author Vanu Mushtaq has been invited for the inauguration.
00:59The BJP's question, they're saying,
01:02if she doesn't have faith in the deity, how can she be a part of this festival?
01:05So it's led to a lot of questions on whether this celebration is cultural or if it's religious.
01:11We're going to be talking about that.
01:13We'll have Congress's Razvan Ashut with us on that big debate.
01:16I'm Akshita Nanda Gopal. Here are the headlines first.
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03:06My government,
03:11Lagu Udymiyokka,
03:16Kishanokka,
03:18Pashupalokka,
03:22Khabhi bhi
03:23Ahit nahi hone deyegi.
03:27and let's begin with the details coming in from Karnataka
03:38of how Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shiv Kumar today
03:41in the midst of that entire controversy over singing the national anthem
03:46breaking into in fact the RSS anthem I beg your pardon
03:48during the assembly debate last week has now had to apologize
03:53in a detailed press conference he's clarified that his act was meant to be
03:57nothing but a piece of satire not an endorsement of the RSS ideology
04:02so he's apologized he's spoken about how loyal he is to the Congress
04:06he says that he's a mere devotee and his God are the Gandhis
04:10so obviously at this point while D.K. Shiv Kumar is finding the need
04:14to actually come out and clarify and reiterate how loyal he is to the Congress
04:18there are questions being asked whether this has been triggered
04:21by some sort of rap from the high command
04:24let's get your details first of what D.K. Shiv Kumar had to say
04:27in their press conference today
04:29That was D.K. Shiv Kumar singing the RSS anthem
04:42inside the Karnataka Assembly last week
04:45five days later the Deputy CM has had to tender an apology for his act
04:50I would like if anyone has been hurt I feel sorry for them
04:55I feel I think I would like to seek apology to all of them
04:59Shiv Kumar on Tuesday reiterated his unwavering loyalty to the Gandhi family
05:04and the Congress as he sought to quell criticism over his recital of the RSS anthem
05:10he also clarified that if anyone had been hurt by his comments
05:13he would apologize but emphasized that the apology was not due to political pressure
05:20if anyone has been hurt some of my party colleagues are commenting on that
05:25I don't like to be a congressman and a lot of followers and friends across the party line
05:30in different political party in the India group
05:33I don't want to hurt anyone I don't want to hurt their feelings I would like if anyone has been hurt I feel sorry for them
05:40I feel I think I would like to seek apology to all of them
05:45Shiv Kumar claimed he recited the RSS anthem during a discussion in the Assembly to take a swipe at the opposition leader R Ashoka and not to praise the organization
05:57he added that he is a devotee of the Gandhi family
06:00from the year 1980 I started my political journey as a congressman
06:06some of my friends are taking a political leap out of it and try to
06:10misuse it and try to create confusion of the public
06:14I would like to reiterate my loyalty to the Gandhi family and the Congress party
06:19Gandhi family cannot be questioned by anyone
06:24I'm a born congressman I will die as a congressman
06:28Shiv Kumar's apology follows criticism by his party colleagues
06:34I first of all I don't want to comment on that
06:38and second of all we have the high command
06:42high command always see what you know their leaders are doing or making statements
06:50and taking stand on issues like this one
06:53so it is up to our high command to see if they feel that this is wrong then they will definitely ask Shiv Kumar to answer
07:05Telangana CM Revant Reddy speaking exclusively to India today
07:09defended DK Shiv Kumar saying that he was unnecessarily being dragged into an issue
07:15The BJP and JDS hit out at Shiv Kumar claiming the deputy CM had apologized to save his chair
07:27The JDS described the deputy CM as a tiger in the assembly that turns into a mouse in front of the high command
07:43The party also circulated an image that read fear of expulsion coward DK bows down to mother Italy
07:57He knows what to do, when to do, what statement to give, when to sing RSS song, when to condemn RSS
08:05He is an expert in all that
08:07He thought he can try and confuse Hindu voters
08:11He thought he can try and get some Hindu sympathy by doing this
08:16But now it's naturally Congress has not taken it in the right spirit
08:20And they have made him apologize
08:23He is saying that no one has asked him to apologize
08:26It will not be bought by anyone
08:29The JDS further claimed that Congress ministers belonging to the Dalit community were dismissed from their posts without even being heard
08:38A veiled dig at the recent sacking of KN Rajanna, who was dropped from the cabinet after a series of controversies
08:46The KPCC president is now facing the fire not only from the opponents but from his own party leaders who have questioned his loyalty
08:57Despite he bringing the party to power in the year 2023 with a thumping majority
09:04With the news, this is Madhu Sagaraj reporting for India Today, Bengaluru
09:09Okay, let me bring in Sagaraj who is joining us live from Bengaluru with more details on this
09:13Sagaraj, this is a controversy that actually played out last week
09:16And I remember right after DK Shuvkumar had sang the RSS anthem in the assembly
09:21He came out and he said that look, there's not much to read into this
09:25What prompted a detailed news conference today in which DK Shuvkumar issued even an apology
09:30Was he pulled up by the Congress high command?
09:33What are you picking up from your sources?
09:35Whenever there is a negative news against him, he is quick enough to in a damage control mode
09:44Whether it was in Coimbatore when he shared the dais with Home Minister Amit Shah and Adiyogi
09:49And now even during the RSS anthem which was being sung
09:53Whenever he realized that it is going to boom rank him and much before that issue get to the next level
09:59He always gives a clarification, even during the Coimbatore time he said that he was a bombed congressman
10:04And he is going to die as a congressman and it is there, it is bled
10:07And even now he says that Gandhi and Congress families are his god
10:10And he is a devotee of both party and Gandhi family
10:14So he has, he is trying to do a damage control whenever he had, whenever he got into trouble
10:20Especially when it comes to singing a song for RSS or sharing a dais with Amit Shah
10:25Their own party members have targeted him
10:28And Taiman again, he had to prove his loyalty is something what bizarre for him
10:32And you need to understand that Taiman again, he has spoken on behalf of the party
10:36And he has also defended the leaders whenever there was crisis
10:40But when it comes to the, when it comes to his own issues like this one
10:45Where he has sung a RSS song, his party is not defending him
10:48And there are no leaders who are trying to come out and giving any kind of clarification on his statement
10:54Except they were thread-D
10:56And you know there is questioning, there is questioning happening from within
10:59You are right in highlighting that, Sakai
11:01That these aren't just, you know, opposition leaders who are questioning D.K. Shivkumar
11:04But within the congress too, many of them condemning the fact that he sang the RSS anthem
11:09But I want to just kind of contrast what D.K. Shivkumar did in the assembly last week
11:14Versus how he has spoken of the RSS now
11:18Right after singing the RSS anthem, now he has issued this apology
11:22Saying that there is no question of him now at this point having any regard for the sang
11:27The reason perhaps also he is having to come out with this clarification
11:30Is because repeatedly we have seen how Rahul Gandhi's attack at the BJP at the right has been over the sang
11:37So this does dent the congress' repeated attacks
11:40And they attempt to create a narrative against the RSS
11:43So let's take a look at that contrast
11:45I don't want to hurt anyone, I don't want to hurt their feelings
12:00I would like if anyone has been hurt, I feel sorry for them
12:04I feel, I think I would like to seek apology to all of them
12:08Okay, let me open this up
12:11Joining us on this broadcast is Prashant GS, spokesperson of the Karnataka BJP
12:15We've got Kapil Madhin, political analyst also with us
12:18Thank you both for your time
12:19I'd like to highlight here that we did extend an invite to the congress
12:22They are not willing to be a part of a discussion on this
12:25But Kapil Madhin, I'd like to begin with you
12:27On what you make of all that's transpired
12:30Why do you think DK Shiv Kumar has had to apologize?
12:33You know, there are questions being asked from within the congress
12:35On why he had to sing the RSS anthem
12:38Surely he knew the messaging that would be involved
12:41So, you know, Akshata, let me begin by saying
12:44It appears that the BJP is so jobless
12:46They didn't want to make a political storm out of a song that was sang in a political satire
12:54We all know in political debates, we all know, you know, in rhetorics
12:58You make symbolic references
13:00Even if you are opposed to something
13:02Even if you are opposed to an ideology
13:04Even if you are opposed to an idea
13:06The important thing for you is to know the idea that you're opposing
13:10And I think, mister, if you look at the entire statement made by Mr. DK Shiv Kumar
13:15If you look at the press conference
13:17The later part where Mr. DK Shiv Kumar has also on record
13:22Have said that, you know, he's sorry if someone has been hurt
13:28Because ultimately it is not, you know, an issue
13:33And BJP is trying to make out an issue out of a non-issue
13:37In all debates, we do debates day in and day out in all public life
13:42In fact, we have seen how BJP people
13:46In fact, BJP's top leader, Atal Bihari ji praising Indra Gandhi ji
13:52Does that mean that Atal Bihari ji was, you know, left his idea
13:58No, it means Kapil that he had great respect and regard for her
14:01So then you are expecting us to understand this
14:04As DK Shiv Kumar having great regard for the RSS
14:06No, all I am saying is
14:08All I am trying to say is
14:10You may have a view
14:12And you may have a different political view
14:14And in fact, it shows when Mr. DK Shiv Kumar came
14:18And, you know, he also on record
14:21Apologize to the Congress followers
14:23And to the people who follow Congress ideology
14:26His remarks have been
14:28His, you know, utterance of the anthem of the RSS
14:32Has been completely distorted
14:34Okay
14:35And it has been given completely different colour
14:38Completely out of context
14:40Okay, let me give BJP a chance to respond to this
14:43Prashant, what do you make of what Kapil is saying
14:46This is largely what the Congress is saying
14:47That look, there is a lot being read into for no reason
14:50Of what DK Shiv Kumar did in the assembly
14:52Which is just a moment of fun
14:54Akshata, we are not reading into anything
14:57You look at the chronology of events
15:00DK Shiv Kumar sang the RSS prayer
15:04Thereafter, defended saying that he needs to know
15:07What RSS does
15:08That RSS is building good institutions
15:11They have good education institutions
15:13He made all of that statements in public domain
15:15And now, owing to pressure from the Gandhi family
15:19He is forced to apologize
15:21And he said that Gandhi is a God for him
15:23And on previous occasions he said that
15:25When he attended the Shivaratri celebrations
15:29He said that he came here for Lord Shiva
15:32And that he is a great devotee
15:33And a Hindu and a devotee of Lord Shiva
15:35Suddenly a Lord Shiva devotee
15:37Turns into devotee of the Gandhi family
15:39For what reason?
15:40He knows that in Congress
15:42He can be thrown out at any point
15:44Like how they sacked Rajan over a phone call
15:46In the past, how Virendra party
15:48The chief minister was dismissed in the airport
15:50DK Shiv Kumar knows
15:52That he does not tow the line
15:54His masters have drawn in Delhi
15:57He will be out of the party
15:58It doesn't matter how many years he has been in the party
16:01That holds good for every single political party
16:03Including yours
16:04See Akshita, you look at the statement made by DK Shiv Kumar
16:08He is very clear that his intent was not to apologize
16:12But he is apologizing
16:13And in fact he says that he is sorry for them
16:15That people are hurt
16:16And he is sorry for them
16:17So which means he really wants to say that
16:20Just because they are seeking an apology
16:23He is really feeling sorry for them
16:25That they are seeking his apology
16:26And he says that he is apologetic about what has happened
16:30So therefore in the congress
16:32If you don't tow the line by the Gandhi family
16:35There is nothing called high command
16:37Because even the congress president
16:39Had to stand outside and peep through the door
16:42When Priyanka Vardra had to file a nomination
16:44And Mallikarjun Kharge has been on record saying that
16:47He has to consult the high command
16:48The congress president is not the high command
16:50It is only the Gandhi family which decides
16:52And all of them owe their allegiance only to Gandhi family
16:56Okay, so you are suggesting that it was pressure
16:58You are saying mountain being made out of a molehill
17:01The reality is that there has been outrage from within
17:04That there are congress leaders currently
17:06Who are questioning DK Shiv Kumar
17:07And that perhaps, we don't know
17:09But maybe that's what prompted DK Shiv Kumar
17:11To actually issue this kind of an apology
17:13Because he is facing heat from within
17:16So Akshita, you know that's the reason
17:18Why with all humility and with all humbleness
17:21He has came forward and he has said that
17:23If someone has misread him
17:24If someone has taken him out of context
17:26And that's the reason why he was not feeling shy
17:28And he has apologized
17:29This shows what?
17:30This shows that yes, you know
17:32He is a firm leader
17:34He is an old leader
17:35And in fact, the entire, you know
17:37Congress party stood with him
17:39He has faced cases after cases
17:41In a frivolous case
17:43He was arrested by the ED
17:45And in fact, despite everything
17:47Because we've all seen how
17:49You know, previously when such leaders
17:52Have been facing these kinds of criminal
17:55They have switched sites to the BJP
17:59And in fact, if you just do a normal research
18:02You will find out how many people
18:04Who were facing some kind of criminal prosecutions
18:07They have given, they have crossed over to the BJP
18:12And all those cases are over
18:14Kapil, I can play for you
18:15I can play for you a reaction
18:17From Mr. B.K. Hari Prasad
18:19Who's questioned the need for D.K. Shiv Kumar
18:21To have sung the RSS anthem in the assembly
18:23So yes, there are questions being asked within the party
18:26So I, Akshita, that's the reason why he's apologised
18:29In fact, you give me one reason why Mr. Dhankar has resigned
18:33I mean, what happened during the time
18:35Till 4-4-30 he was in the parliament
18:37And in the night he resigned
18:39Did he give any explanation?
18:42Did we hear from the PM?
18:44Do you know where he is?
18:45Have you seen him making one, you know
18:47Political statement after his resignation?
18:49Now there are apprehensions
18:51People are, in fact, all the leaders are saying
18:53Whether he is safe or not
18:54In fact, the country would want to know
18:56That's the culture you have there
18:57But here you have a space where
19:00In fact, you can expect even a different idea
19:04Hold on, hold on
19:05Hold on
19:06Okay, Prashant, go ahead
19:08Please hold on
19:09Prashant, please hold on
19:10I get your anxiety
19:12I get your anxiety
19:13I get your anxiety
19:14Okay, hold on
19:15Kapil, hold on
19:16Let me give Prashant a chance to respond
19:18Prashant, go ahead
19:20No, no, it's from interruption
19:22You cannot make a random statement and say that you should not be interrupted
19:27You are making an incorrect statement on constitutional functionaries
19:32You are making a statement against the PM
19:34And when the Home Minister on the floor of the House has
19:38Again, time and again repeated that
19:40The Vice President then, Mr. Radhankar who was holding the post then
19:44Resigned on health grounds
19:45I don't think Congress or its India Alliance partners need to speculate on it
19:50And moreover, you are making wild accusations only to safeguard your agenda here
19:57People are talking about Bangladesh infiltrators being given positions here
20:01And Congress is supporting them
20:03One second
20:04We are moving
20:05You know, we are deviating into completely different issues
20:08Prashant, please stick to the topic at hand
20:10Please stick to the topic at hand right now
20:12Please stick to the topic at hand, Prashant
20:14The question that is constantly asked is
20:16Look, if the tables were turned
20:18Wouldn't the BJP High Command also have stepped in
20:20If there was a BJP leader who hadn't toured the party line on a certain issue
20:24The same crackdown perhaps would have triggered an apology if the tables were turned
20:29Akshita, it is not about if and but
20:32What is the party line here?
20:34You point out to me as to what was D.K. Shukumar's statement in the assembly
20:39And then the press meet after that
20:41Kapal, hold on, I give you a chance to respond
20:44He made a statement that he is aware of the RSS anthem
20:47He also sang it because he is also in the past
20:50It is not the first time
20:51In 2019 also he has sang it in the assembly
20:54Stating that in his childhood he has attended RSS Shaka
20:58Therefore, when one of the leaders of the party asked him
21:01He said, I know it
21:02And he recited the RSS prayer
21:05And then in the press meet following that
21:07He said that he is aware about the education institutions that RSS has built
21:10And he is aware that what activities RSS is into
21:14And at no point in time it suggested of being sarcastic
21:19He was making a statement of fact that RSS is running good number of educational institutions
21:25And doing good for the country
21:26And he left it there
21:27Kapal what?
21:28There will be questions right now
21:29And Gandhi's family took offence because Rahul Gandhi was against this idea of somebody saying RSS is doing good work
21:36So Kapal this is exactly what I was referring to
21:39What DK Shiv Kumar has done by breaking into the RSS anthem in the floor of the house
21:44Is given leeway to the BJP to say look this is endorsement for the RSS
21:49So in that sense does this really dent Rahul Gandhi's constant attacks at the RSS
21:54And his attempt to create a narrative against the Sangh?
21:59No, so Akshana let me again on record say this
22:02I think my good friend here who is from the BJP
22:05He is trying to replace facts with noise
22:07But ultimately noise cannot be a substitute of facts and logic
22:10He tried his best but ultimately he failed
22:13Now let me respond to you
22:15Definitely not
22:16We can have
22:17Hold on
22:18Hold on
22:19We can continue to debate Mr Kapil
22:20And I am sure you will not have answers to most of the questions that we pose to you
22:23I am
22:24Sir, please I never interrupted
22:26Let's be civilized
22:27I never spoke when you were speaking
22:28So please don't speak on my turn
22:30This is my turn
22:31Now let me just begin
22:32You know what I said
22:33You please go and do a simple research
22:36Kangana Ranaut made so many remarks
22:39And she went against the party line
22:41And thereafter she committed
22:43She had to tendered an apology
22:45It's a fact which is documented
22:47You do a simple research
22:48Does that mean Kangana now is against the BJP ideology?
22:53The question is this
22:54We all saw in 2015
22:57Our Honourable Prime Minister went to Pakistan to wish the then Prime Minister of Pakistan
23:03Does that mean he is supporting Pakistan's ideology?
23:07If this is the logic what my learned friend is trying to portray here
23:10This can't be
23:11This is absolutely
23:12No but if that is the case Kapil
23:14If there is no endorsement for the RSS
23:16Hold on
23:17Why is DK Shivkumar having to apologize?
23:19Hold on
23:20So that's what I am saying
23:21He has given an apology with utmost humility
23:25Because even if you know his statement has been taken out of context
23:30Despite that if someone was hurt he has on record said that you know he feels sorry for those people
23:37He didn't meant to you know hurt them and the matter should end there
23:42This happens when you don't have you know political ideas you don't have you know your you know intellectually and politically you don't have anything to really you know count on you make issues a lot of non-issues and this is a glaring and a classic example of a situation like this
24:01Yes
24:02Okay closing comments Prashant go ahead
24:04Actually my fellow panelists the last couple of sentences nicely summed up what congress is up to in Bihar and elsewhere during elections as to when they are ideologically and intellectually bankrupt what they are doing lot of noise is what Rahul Gandhi is doing across the country which is why congress is in power in only three states in the country mind you
24:26So therefore from a grand 400 odd seats they have come down to double digits now and they have not even crossed BJP stally in the last three elections put together
24:35Therefore it is Rahul Gandhi who is completely only noise and no stuff zero intellect zero knowledge of elections he is making only noises across the country and people in Bihar now are going to teach a lesson once again to Rahul Gandhi and he is going to enter the record books as probably the leader who has lost most number of elections
24:54And Rahul Gandhi's place there will be secure and forever and that record can never be beaten by any BJP leader because Rahul Gandhi occupies the pole position there
25:04I am going to wrap this up because we have completely moved on to other issues clearly but Prashant and Kapil thank you very much for your time for joining us here on India today we leave it to the viewers to decide what triggered D.K. Shrift Kumar now to apologize for singing the national the RSS anthem in the Karnataka assembly
25:21Now previously he said it was done in jest it was just a moment that he had with the BJP leaders in the assembly now he's issued an apology saying very clearly that he's a devotee and his God are the Gandhis
25:35We're going to continue tracking the political reactions on that but we're sticking to news from Karnataka
25:39Now there's a political controversy that's broken out over author Banu Mushtaq being invited to inaugurate the Dasara festival in Mysore
25:48The Congress government has decided to invite a renowned writer and activist
25:53She's in fact won the Booker Prize this year so she is someone who Karnataka has been celebrating
25:59But the BJP has been questioning this particular move saying essentially that yes she's someone that every Karnataka is proud of
26:07But they've questioned her religious beliefs and said is she really the right dignitary for the Dasara festivities
26:14Let's get you all the reactions first in this report
26:17A polarizing fight over the annual Mysoreu Dasara festivities
26:29The Congress government's invite to award-winning author the Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq
26:35To inaugurate the Dasara festival has led to a political firestorm
26:40Chat
26:50The
27:03ría
27:04While the Congress has lauded the author's contribution the BJP has lashed out
27:08has lashed out. Why? Because of statements like these made by the author previously
27:13about the Kannada language and the state flag.
27:16The Kannada language and the state of Kannada language and the state of Kannada language
27:35BJP leaders have also raised questions over whether the author even believes in the Chamundeshwari
27:40deity who is worshipped in Mysore during the Dasara festival.
27:44The
28:13What is the prayer of Chamundeshwari?
28:18It's not a Sanskrit work of Mysore and Dasara K.
28:22It's a work of religion.
28:43recently of her, you know, essentially insulting our Kannada flag by saying that it is, you know,
28:50part Arshana and part Skeswi, part that is yellow and orange and then saying that there is a photo
28:56of Taibuneshwari on the stage and so she feels unwelcome. So these are all, you know, aspects
29:03which have come to light which have obviously not been in line with our sentiments. The Karnataka
29:09government, however, has stood their ground, maintaining that this isn't just about religion.
29:39Banu Mushtaq has reacted to the controversy saying that while the matter can be seen from different
30:05perspectives, the Dasara festival is a part of a culture and she is truly happy to have received
30:11the invite.
30:12A joyous cultural fest has been reduced to a political turf war this time in Mysuru.
30:37So there's a raging debate right now over the fact that Banu Mushtaq has been invited. Like I said,
30:52she's a celebrated author and activist. The BJP tour has said that she is very much the pride of
30:57Karnataka but question whether this is the right occasion to have her for the inauguration. While
31:02the writer herself hasn't really reacted to this entire controversy, she has said that she's extremely
31:08honoured to be a part of these festivities. Mind you that amid all of the issues that the BJP has
31:14raised over Banu Mushtaq being chosen, one of it is that they are saying the celebration of Dasara is
31:19the celebration of the goddess Chamundeshwari in Mysuru. So they're saying how can someone who doesn't
31:26believe in goddess Chamundeshwari, who doesn't believe in her power, how can she be a part of these festivities?
31:36Let me bring in Sagaraj for more details on this. Sagaraj, what is the Congress saying really at this point? Is the
31:41government considering a rethink, keeping in mind the controversy? Has Banu Mushtaq reacted?
31:46Banu Mushtaq has reacted stating that whether it is the festival of Chamundeshwari or whether it is the
31:53festival of state, she has equal respect for the two sets of people. And yes, she has also said that
32:01she is more than happy to be a part of this particular inauguration program. Whereas the BJP claims that she
32:08has not given any kind of respect to Kannada language and Bhuneshwari. Remember, they have compared
32:13that to Nidu Gaurav, sir. She had a question, that particular ask of Kannadaka, stating that when
32:23you have a language to Bhuneshwari, it is going to hurt the sentiment.
32:27So they were having a bit of a problem with your line. We'll come back to you. But thank you for the
32:30moment for joining us. So also on this broadcast, joining us here on Super 6 is Rizwan Ashut, Congress
32:36MLA. Thank you very much, Rizwan, for your time. Good evening. What's your response to the BJP's
32:42criticism here of why Banu Mushtaq has to be a part of the Dasara festivities? They're saying that,
32:49you know, she's someone who doesn't have faith in Gaurav's Chamundeshwari. So how can she be a part of
32:53the inauguration?
32:58Yeh, why not? Why should Banu Mushtaq not be inaugurating it? She's a Kannadiga. She is a prolific
33:08writer in Kannada. And she has made us proud by winning a Booker Prize. Right? And she is the
33:16cultural ambassador for our state. And those people who are objecting, they are trying to
33:23communalize, polarize a state festival. Dasara is not a religious festival alone. It is a state
33:32festival. Nada Habba. I belong to Mysore city. I know that each and every citizen of Mysore,
33:40be it Hindu, Muslim, Christian, whatever caste, whatever religion we belong to,
33:46we all gather together and we celebrate this festival. So BJP seeing that through communal lines
33:53itself is unfortunate. And just because Banu Mushtaq is a woman and she is a woman with her own
34:04right in a social circle and social sphere and her own intellectual and her writings are known
34:20for standing up to strengthen the woman position in the society. So she has not written that in the
34:28angle of a Hindu woman or a Muslim woman. Sure. She has been very vocal, very critical,
34:34critical of many things happening in the Muslim society too. So what better person than Banu Mushtaq
34:42to come and inaugurate? And Dasara is a Nada Habba for us. Nada Habba means it's a state
34:49festival for us. It doesn't belong to… No, I take your point, Rizwan, that this is a Nada Habba,
34:53but also going beyond that. There is a certain aspect of Dasara that started off as a Hindu festival.
35:00It coincides with Vijay Dashmi. It's the celebration and the worshipping of goddess Chamundeshwari,
35:06which is an important aspect also of the Dasara festivities in Mysore.
35:10Can one just look away from that particular aspect of the festivities? Not really.
35:15Of course, I mean, if the government curtails the puja, if the government curtails the festivities,
35:25which includes the puja of goddess Chamundeshwari or any other rituals, then anybody can object to it.
35:35The government, as usual, is conducting the festival with the same traditions, with the same
35:42festive spirit and all the pujas, all the rituals are being conducted by the government. So, where
35:51is the objection to? She is inaugurating the festival. The festival is conducted with all the same
35:59cultural, I mean, chronology, whatever is going to happen. So, there have been many other… I also vaguely
36:08remember Nisar Ahmad inaugurating the festival of Dasara earlier. There was no issue. Nobody made it
36:16into a Hindu or Muslim issue. Dasara is an international festival today. International tourists come to
36:24witness the festival. It is a proud movement for each and every Kannadiga, especially in Mysore.
36:30And Kannadigas include Hindu, Muslim, Christians, everyone. It cannot just be a religious language or
36:39it cannot just be a language of particular people or a culture of particular people.
36:43Okay. So, a festival of culture, not a religious festival is what you are saying.
36:46We all are shared people with shared culture and shared culture.
36:48The fact that you have referred to this as a Nada Habba state festival and said that, you know,
36:53this is a celebration that brings Kannadigas together. Another point of contention,
36:57which the BJP has raised here, is what, in fact, Banu Mushtaq had said in 2023. I'll just read that out
37:03for you. When she had said that the appropriation of Kannada as goddess Bhuvaneshwari draped in yellow
37:08and red, the colors of turmeric and vermilion, was exclusionary to people like her, referring to
37:13her religion. Is that something you agree with when she says that, you know, the colors of… she's
37:19referring to, of course, the Karnataka state flag.
37:25Being a Kannadiga, to be a Kannadiga, it doesn't require you to follow a particular kind of a ritual
37:34or a particular kind of a belief system. You can be Banu Mushtaq and be Kannadiga,
37:41you can be somebody else and also be Kannadiga. So, Banu Mushtaq has her own view how she wants
37:48to be a Kannadiga and somebody else has their own view. And as long as they don't oppose it,
37:54there is no contradiction, right? No, but when she says Kannada's treated
37:59me as an outsider, she has made… When she says Kannada didn't grow as a language…
38:05She has brought Kannada into international… No, she herself has represented as a Kannadiga
38:14at the international stage. She has brought so much of… I mean, the Kannada language is in
38:21mainstream in the world today. It is her contribution. So, you… we cannot see people
38:28with a particular lens and that is what BJP is trying to see and trying to create controversy
38:34in each and everything which includes people, which assimilates people, keeps them together.
38:41Tell me one… on one issue BJP has spoken where which brings people together, integrates them. No,
38:49BJP has always spoken in a way, in a manner where they divide the society. So, today,
38:58our government is not bothered with what BJP says. We know what it is. We have conducted
39:05Dasara festival for n number of years. We have been in power for last… out of 75… 79 years,
39:14we might have been in power for 50 years in Karnataka. So, we have celebrated 50 Dasara festivals.
39:19We have invited literates from various backgrounds, various communities to come and inaugurate the
39:29function. So, we know what it is. And she has made all Kannadigas proud by winning a Booker Prize.
39:35And the BJP did not show a simple courtesy to welcome her prize, to congratulate her. A Booker is not
39:45an ordinary prize. She has won it. And I will say this, Rizwan Ashad, that by winning that,
39:53she is not just the pride of Karnataka, but the pride of India. And clearly, from our conversation,
39:59I can state here that the Congress government at this point is clear that they are not going to
40:05back off on their decision of Banu Mushta being invited for the Dasara Habas celebrations. Thank you very
40:11much, Rizwan Ashad, for joining us here on India Today. All right, let's move on to Kerala,
40:17where purification rituals are taking place at the prominent Guru Vayur Shri Krishna temple. Why?
40:23Because this temple in Trishur had, in fact, a reel that went viral. And the temple spawned a non-Hindu
40:31woman vlogger entered the pond and shot reels. That reel is on your screens right now. She's a former
40:38big boss reality show contestant, a social media influencer called Jasmine Jaffer, who filmed a
40:43reel washing her feet in the temple pond, touching the temple pond with her hands. And that's what's
40:50led to the outrage. The influencers deleted that reel now, also putting out a detailed apology,
40:54saying she was unaware of the restrictions. Authorities say that since she is a non-Hindu,
41:00the actors violated temple customs. And so they claim that the pond was made impure. Since the reel was
41:06filmed six days ago, these rituals will include a repeat of six days of puja. Entry to devotees has
41:13been restricted until then. Let's bring in Shibhimul for more details on this Shibhi. You know,
41:19this is a long-standing issue and a controversy in Kerala about the entry of non-Hindus. In this
41:26particular case, this particular influencer even shot a reel inside where she's seen essentially
41:31touching the water in the pond. And that, we understand, has kicked off a cleansing ritual.
41:36Explain that to us. Because, you know, people in other parts of the country don't really know
41:40how strict the rules are in these temples in Kerala.
41:44Well, Akshita, in Kerala, a lot of temples do not have such restrictions. But, Guruwayo Temple
41:53is probably the most prominent temple in Kerala that has this particular restriction where it
41:57doesn't allow non-Hindu people to enter the temple premises. That's what happened. But, you know,
42:02I have to also mention that there's no specific system that checks the religious background or the
42:07background of devotees entering the temple. But, of course, if your name, if you're making an offering,
42:12and if your name sounds a bit unusual, that, you know, if it's a different name other than a
42:16Hindu name, then, yes, they do check about your religious background. But otherwise,
42:20there's no particular system as such, because it's been an age-old tradition that, you know,
42:23Guruwayo Temple does not allow the entry of people from other faiths. In fact, former, you know,
42:29prominent artists from the state, like including KJ Eshudas, have been restricted, you know,
42:35entry to the temple, temple here, temple, Guruwayo Temple here. So, it's an age-old tradition.
42:40What Jasmine is saying is that she was unaware about it, unaware of it. She didn't know that,
42:43you know, there was a rule like that. It was her mistake, and she apologized if anybody was hurt.
42:48In the recent past, we have not heard about a purification ritual taking place at the temple.
42:53The last six days, puja has been repeated, which means 18 pujas and 18 shi-velis were conducted.
42:58And also, there is major restriction as far as shooting any kind of reels is concerned inside the
43:03temple. That's a order from the High Court stating that, you know, no filming is allowed inside the
43:07temple premises. Okay. They have also filed a case against her with the Guruwayo police,
43:11and the police have said that based on the High Court's direction, a case will also be registered.
43:15All right, Shubhi, thanks very much for joining us with all of those details.
43:20Let's get your images now from Jammu, which has been ravaged by flash floods as a result of extremely
43:25heavy rainfall. Now, what you're going to see on your screens is a bridge collapse, vehicles seen
43:32dangling from a broken bridge. Let's play that out full screen for you. Exactly that moment where
43:38the bridge gets washed away in Jammu. And this is even as there were vehicles flying on that road,
43:44or on the bridge, and suddenly just collapses leading to vehicles, as you can see there,
43:49dangling dangerously. Some of them fell into the river in spate. Many people made it out through,
43:55fortunately. But you can see police officials were there trying to ensure that the vehicles that were
44:00continuing to come on that bridge immediately stopped. You can see them waving desperately,
44:04asking them to stop further away because there was a serious threat of several other parts of the bridge
44:10also collapsing. All around the chaos, you can see on your screens and the river there, in spate,
44:18swollen, reaching right, almost right up to that road. And so anyone who falls through that particular
44:25road cave-in is going to be in serious trouble. We understand that the area has now been cordoned
44:31off, but this was right when the bridge collapsed.
44:43Unfortunate news coming in that five people have died in the landslide that took place along the
44:50Vaishnu Devi Yatra track. Remember that the Yatra has now been called off as a result of the heavy
44:54rainfall and multiple incidents of landslides. We understand that 14 people have been injured,
45:01and the unfortunate news we're getting in now is that five people have also died in this tragedy.
45:06We've seen in the last many weeks, multiple such landslides, multiple such flash floods, which has
45:12really led to questions about what's happening as far as weather patterns go in parts of North India,
45:17whether it's Himachal or Jammu now. People struggling right now to predict what's coming next.
45:23Many of their homes washed away and landslides also taking place. This is the time when you see a lot
45:28of these religious tours taking place, religious yatras and devotees struggling as a result. Now the
45:34Vaishnu Devi Yatra has been closed off, keeping in mind the inclement weather. There will be questions
45:40about why there was no prediction of this and why this wasn't shut off earlier to avoid this kind
45:45of a tragedy. But a landslide taking place along the Yatra route, leading to five deaths. There's a
45:51possibility, unfortunately, of that number going up.
45:58Let's get you all of those images of cloudbursts in Jammu and deadly flash floods in Imachala.
46:08Now this is in fact images from Jammu, where you can see that the sudden heavy
46:11downpour triggered flash floods. Several homes have been damaged, particularly those along the banks of
46:17the river.
46:24As the Chenab river level surged, announcements were made by authorities warning locals.
46:29People in a higher ground were watching as water slowly crept into settlements. Many of these areas
46:34now have been evacuated.
46:42Some of the most chilling footage emerging there, this one from Manali, where you can see a vehicle
46:46swallowed by the raging flood waters as the road beneath the van there collapsed. The force
46:53of the current left nothing but scattered debris, stunned onlookers behind. We don't know at this point
46:59about what really happened to the driver of that vehicle.
47:07Now parts of the National Highway 3 lie in the riverbed claimed by the beers as it shifted violently
47:14toward the highway. A hotel that was perched above the river now precariously close to the edge.
47:21Landslides continuing to completely reshape the hillside in the last few weeks.
47:29Amid a red alert and incessant rains, this is the Shapur subdivision of the Kangra district in
47:34Himachal that seeing rivers in spate heavy rainfall has led to also a crucial footbridge being swept away.
47:48Our prayers with the people of Himachal and Jammu as we continue to report very,
47:52very closely on the situation that's playing out right now due to the torrential rainfall
47:57in these parts and many other parts of North India. I'm wrapping up this edition of Super 6.
48:02Thanks very much for tuning in. On the other side of a very, very short break
48:05is To The Point with Preeti Chodhra.
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