A video showing slippers being thrown at an LED screen displaying visuals of Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar performing special prayers at the Hasanamba temple has triggered a political controversy. While the BJP mocked the CM, suggesting the incident reflected public frustration, Shivakumar's office alleged that JD(S) workers orchestrated it to create the impression that devotees were angry over the arrangements for darshan.The incident allegedly took place after devotees, who had been waiting in long queues for several hours for darshan, were left upset over the temporary suspension of general entry during the Chief Minister's visit.However, Chief Minister's Office (CMO) sources have disputed the claim that devotees were behind the incident, alleging that JD(S) workers deliberately staged it and circulated the video on social media with a political motive.Angry devotees waiting in long queues at Hasanamba Temple in Hassan “gifted” CM DK Shivakumar a special Diwali present yesterday they threw slippers at the LED screen showing his VIP darshan after his visit allegedly delayed ordinary devotees for hours.
VIP culture at temples continues to spark outrage. #HasanambaTemple #DKShivakumar #VIPDarshan— () (@sanatan_kannada) November 9, 2026Shivakumar, accompanied by his wife Usha, visited the temple on Sunday, on the occasion of Diwali. The couple offered prayers to the goddess and performed a special puja inside the sanctum sanctorum.
During the visit, the entry of devotees through the general darshan queue was allegedly temporarily stopped to facilitate the Chief Minister's prayers. This reportedly led to resentment among devotees, several of whom had been waiting for hours in long queues to offer prayers.In an apparent expression of anger, some people were seen removing their slippers and throwing them at an LED screen displaying visuals of Shivakumar and his wife performing the ritual.
A video purportedly capturing the incident subsequently went viral on social media, triggering a political controversy. The Karnataka BJP seized on the incident to target the Chief Minister.
Taking a dig at Shivakumar, the party said in a post on X, "This is what happened just by seeing him on the screen... Imagine what would happen if they encountered him in person!"However, CMO sources have rejected the suggestion that ordinary devotees were responsible for the incident.
They alleged that JD(S) workers deliberately created the video and circulated it on social media to give the impression that devotees were angry with the darshan arrangements."It is JD(S) workers who deliberately created and shared it on social media. Not devotees," CMO sources said, disputing the version of events circulating online.The Hasanamba temple, one of the prominent religious sites in Karnataka, opens only once a year for a limited period during the Diwali festival season as part of its annual rituals.
The temple draws large numbers of devotees during this period, with people waiting in queues for an opportunity to have darshan of the goddess.- Ends