Shivakumar as Shiva on Karnataka newspaper frontpage, people call it blasphemy
Kannada newspaper Vishwavani triggered a row and is drawing criticism after depicting DK Shivakumar as Lord Shiva on its front page ahead of his oath-taking ceremony. The illustration has sparked outrage, with critics calling it an act of blasphemy and that of political flattery.
As DK Shivakumar took oath as Karnataka's Chief Minister on Wednesday, a Kannada newspaper triggered a controversy after publishing an illustration depicting the Congress leader as Lord Shiva. The Bengaluru-based newspaper is facing criticism, with many (including critics) accusing it of "blasphemy" and "political sycophancy".
Kannada daily Vishwavani's lead story on Wednesday portrayed Shivakumar as the Hindu deity Shiva, complete with jata (matted hair), tiger-skin attire, a trishool and a damru. The illustration was also shared on X by the newspaper's Editor-in-Chief, Vishweshwar Bhat, on Wednesday.
The depiction of Shivakumar as Hindu deity Shiva quickly sparked outrage on the day the 64-year-old Congress leader is set to take the oath as the Karnataka CM. People objected to the portrayal of Shivakumar with Hindu deity Shiva, calling it an irresponsible attempt to mix religion with political glorification.
"This is Blasphemy... I don't know how Kannadigas are seeing it as normal," a person posted on X, reacting to the newspaper's depiction.
Karnataka-based Advocate Girish Bharadwaj said it was "against Dharma and undermined the sanctity of our gods".
"This should not be done with any politician. Portraying politicians alongside or as deities is against Dharma and undermines the sanctity of our gods," Girish Bharadwaj wrote on X.
"I never expected such content from Vishwavani. Dharma should not be trivialised for political narratives," Bharadwaj added.
Several social media users also questioned the appropriateness of portraying Shivakumar as a Hindu deity, with some pointing to his past legal troubles.
"What a fall. Comparing a person who is an ex-Tihari to a Hindu deity. Some people can stoop to any level," Giridhar Upadhyaya, a biology professor from Bengaluru, posted on X. Upadhyaya's remark was a reference to Shivakumar's incarceration in New Delhi's Tihar Jail in 2019 in connection with a money-laundering case investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.
Some people also saw the move as an attempt at excessive political flattery.
"Creativity or absolute flattery? Transforming leaders into deities on a front page is wild. Let's keep politics aside from our faith," a person wrote on X.
Apart from objections on religious grounds, people also mocked the artistic execution of the illustration.
"Such a bad overlap job! DK Shivakumar's hairstyle is intact and overlapping a jatadhaari," a person posted.
The image has triggered a heated debate online, attracting reactions and comments. People argue that equating political leaders with revered deities crosses a line and risks hurting religious sentiments.
Karnataka CM-designate Shivakumar took charge as the CM on Wednesday in the Lok Bhavan's Glass House in Bengaluru. The mid-term leadership rejig in Karnataka comes after a prolonged deadlock between Shivakumar and outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the state's top post. The deadlock came to an end after the high command intervened and asked Siddaramaiah to step down. Since the Congress returned to power in 2023, Shivakumar had been aspiring for the top post. And now, ahead of the oath ceremony in Bengaluru, which would sanctify the power transition, the Kannada newspaper's illustration has become a talking point and a flashpoint of criticism.
As DK Shivakumar took oath as Karnataka's Chief Minister on Wednesday, a Kannada newspaper triggered a controversy after publishing an illustration depicting the Congress leader as Lord Shiva. The Bengaluru-based newspaper is facing criticism, with many (including critics) accusing it of "blasphemy" and "political sycophancy".
Kannada daily Vishwavani's lead story on Wednesday portrayed Shivakumar as the Hindu deity Shiva, complete with jata (matted hair), tiger-skin attire, a trishool and a damru. The illustration was also shared on X by the newspaper's Editor-in-Chief, Vishweshwar Bhat, on Wednesday.
The depiction of Shivakumar as Hindu deity Shiva quickly sparked outrage on the day the 64-year-old Congress leader is set to take the oath as the Karnataka CM. People objected to the portrayal of Shivakumar with Hindu deity Shiva, calling it an irresponsible attempt to mix religion with political glorification.
"This is Blasphemy... I don't know how Kannadigas are seeing it as normal," a person posted on X, reacting to the newspaper's depiction.
Karnataka-based Advocate Girish Bharadwaj said it was "against Dharma and undermined the sanctity of our gods".
"This should not be done with any politician. Portraying politicians alongside or as deities is against Dharma and undermines the sanctity of our gods," Girish Bharadwaj wrote on X.
"I never expected such content from Vishwavani. Dharma should not be trivialised for political narratives," Bharadwaj added.
Several social media users also questioned the appropriateness of portraying Shivakumar as a Hindu deity, with some pointing to his past legal troubles.
"What a fall. Comparing a person who is an ex-Tihari to a Hindu deity. Some people can stoop to any level," Giridhar Upadhyaya, a biology professor from Bengaluru, posted on X. Upadhyaya's remark was a reference to Shivakumar's incarceration in New Delhi's Tihar Jail in 2019 in connection with a money-laundering case investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.
Some people also saw the move as an attempt at excessive political flattery.
"Creativity or absolute flattery? Transforming leaders into deities on a front page is wild. Let's keep politics aside from our faith," a person wrote on X.
Apart from objections on religious grounds, people also mocked the artistic execution of the illustration.
"Such a bad overlap job! DK Shivakumar's hairstyle is intact and overlapping a jatadhaari," a person posted.
The image has triggered a heated debate online, attracting reactions and comments. People argue that equating political leaders with revered deities crosses a line and risks hurting religious sentiments.
Karnataka CM-designate Shivakumar took charge as the CM on Wednesday in the Lok Bhavan's Glass House in Bengaluru. The mid-term leadership rejig in Karnataka comes after a prolonged deadlock between Shivakumar and outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the state's top post. The deadlock came to an end after the high command intervened and asked Siddaramaiah to step down. Since the Congress returned to power in 2023, Shivakumar had been aspiring for the top post. And now, ahead of the oath ceremony in Bengaluru, which would sanctify the power transition, the Kannada newspaper's illustration has become a talking point and a flashpoint of criticism.
