Can't abandon my Hindu religion identity: CM Shivakumar

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday said that he cannot abandon his Hindu religion and set aside his identity. He underlined that he respected all religions and that observing Hindu rituals during his oath-taking ceremony was a reflection of personal faith rather than politics. "Politics is not important to me. What matters is the relationship between an individual and God. Temples and faith are about that relationship. I have reverence for institutions of all religion, whether Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists or Hindus," he told reporters when asked about following Hindu traditions and rituals during his oath-taking ceremony on June 3.
Speaking to reporters near the Nonavinakere Sri Kadu Siddeshwara Mutt in Tumakuru, Shivakumar stressed that he respects every religion equally. Shivakumar described his relationship with the Kadu Siddeshwara Mutt as spanning 25 years, emphasising that he was visiting as a devotee, not as Chief Minister. He also assured that development works worth Rs 35 crore are already underway for the sacred Mallaghat region, and that further steps will be taken in consultation with local representatives and the Kadu Siddeshwara Mutt.

(State Correspondent)