Karnataka ministers stopped at Mysuru Dasara venue, CM orders probe

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has directed Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to conduct an inquiry into the incident in which ministers were allegedly prevented by police officers from entering the Nandi Dhwaja (Nandi Flag) puja venue at the Mysuru Palace premises. Ministers Balakrishna, Narendraswamy and Basavanthappa were allegedly denied entry to the puja venue during the ritual held at the beginning of the Mysuru Dussehra procession on October 21, an official statement by CMO said on Thursday. According to the statement, Shivakumar said he intervened personally to facilitate the ministers' entry, but expressed displeasure over the conduct of the officials concerned.

CM DK Shivakumar has ordered an Inquiry into the issue of ministers being denied for the Nandi Dwaja Pooja during Dasara festivities yesterday. BJP meanwhile has questioned if cops were given instructions to not allow ministers. https://t.co/wG25KkdXw4

— Deepak Bopanna (@dpkBopanna) October 22, 2026

According to information, the incident took place on the Mysuru Palace premises. Ministers Shivaraj Tangadagi, KS Basavanthappa and PM Narendraswamy were trailing Shivakumar, who was proceeding towards the Nandidhwaja Pooja spot. “It is evident that the officials acted high-handedly by restricting the ministers. I personally intervened immediately to facilitate the ministers' entry. However, such irresponsibility from officials cannot be tolerated. Therefore, I have ordered the Chief Secretary to conduct an inquiry into who is responsible for this and submit a report," Shivakumar said in a statement, condemning the “arrogant behaviour” of the officers. Speaking to reporters, Basavanthappa said he and other ministers had no prior information about protocol. “We would have known about any such protocol. There was no restriction on the movement of ministers. I don’t know why we were stopped despite officers being aware that we were ministers,” the Muzrai minister said.

(State Correspondent)