‘Should know who my opponents are…’: DK Shivakumar on reciting RSS anthem in Assembly

BENGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who had recited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) anthem in the Assembly on Thursday evening, said on Friday that he knows about opponents and friends.

When asked about the political message behind singing the RSS anthem, he said that he knows about the RSS and its history. He also claimed that the RSS is building institutions in Karnataka and preaching to children.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | On being asked if there is a political message behind reciting the RSS anthem in the Karnataka Assembly yesterday, Dy CM DK Shivakumar says, “I am a born Congressman… I have done research on all political parties. I know how RSS is building institutions in… https://t.co/8hIzya1Qsk pic.twitter.com/YKFixlsSvN

— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2025

Shivakumar told reporters, “I am a born Congressman. I have done research on all political parties. I know how RSS is building institutions in Karnataka. They are acquiring all the schools in every district. They are trying to preach to children. As a leader, I should know who my opponents are and who my friends are. I just try to know about the RSS and its history. Politically, we have a lot of differences. But the BJP should know I have gone very deep into them”.

Addressing speculation about him joining the BJP, he said, “No joining hands. I am a Congressman and I will lead the Congress”.

On Thursday evening, amidst a debate over the M Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede in the Assembly, Deputy CM Shivakumar broke into the RSS anthem during his exchange of words with BJP MLA R Ashoka. The incident occurred when Ashoka pointed towards Shivakumar, emphasising that the state government should take responsibility for the RCB stampede.

#WATCH | Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar recited a few lines from the RSS anthem in the Karnataka Assembly yesterday

This happened as BJP MLA R Ashok in the Karnataka Assembly emphasised, pointing towards Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, that the Karnataka Government should take… pic.twitter.com/yx4Rdrb5AG

— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2025

Shivakumar retorted that he knew all about the BJP’s tricks, and then proceeded to recite a few lines of the RSS anthem. Addressing the Assembly, Shivakumar admitted that a mistake had happened, but the government took immediate action.

He said, “I am a member of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, and everyone there is my friend. I have also carried the flag and handed over the cup. Some mistake happened, but I am just a cricket fan. The government has already taken immediate action. Was there no stampede at the Kumbh Mela?”

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly, R Ashoka, had asked CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar to respond to allegations over the stampede. “In this matter, CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar must respond. When this has nothing to do with the state’s Chief Minister, how do the police grant permission? A large crowd gathered there, who made the call to grant permission for the celebration. They must answer now,” Ashoka said in the Assembly. (ANI)