Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Karnataka CM’s Rs 50 Haircut Draws BJP Hypocrisy Attack
Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said he likes to live simply.
He said he still gets a haircut costing Rs 50.
After becoming chief minister, security staff advised him not to visit his usual barber in Delhi.
Shivakumar said he refused and kept his usual preference.
He also said friends sometimes give him expensive gifts, such as a Louis Vuitton muffler.
His election affidavit showed that he and his dependants had assets worth about Rs 1,413.78 crore.
The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized him because of the difference between his simple-living claim and his reported wealth.
The BJP also mentioned luxury items reportedly associated with him.
Shivakumar maintained that simplicity is important to him.
Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said he prefers a simple lifestyle and a Rs 50 haircut.
He said he rejected security advice to have his regular barber visit his residence in Delhi.
Shivakumar said expensive items, including a Louis Vuitton muffler, are often gifts from friends.
His 2023 Karnataka Assembly election affidavit declared assets of about Rs 1,413.78 crore for him and his dependants.
The Bharatiya Janata Party accused him of hypocrisy by citing luxury possessions reportedly linked to him.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Karnataka unit.
- What
- Shivakumar’s comments about his Rs 50 haircut and simple lifestyle prompted BJP criticism over his declared wealth and luxury items reportedly associated with him.
- When
- Shivakumar discussed the matter at the India Today Roundtable Karnataka; the cited asset declaration was from the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election.
- Where
- The remarks were made at the India Today Roundtable Karnataka, while the haircut anecdote concerned Delhi.
- Why
- The BJP argued that Shivakumar’s simple-living claim conflicted with his declared assets and references to luxury possessions.
Shivakumar’s Simple-Living Explanation
BJP’s Hypocrisy Criticism
Personal lifestyle
Shivakumar’s Simple-Living Explanation
Shivakumar said he prefers a simple life, continues to use his usual Rs 50 barber, and considers simplicity an important courtesy of living.
BJP’s Hypocrisy Criticism
The BJP questioned the claim by citing luxury items reportedly associated with Shivakumar, including a Rolex Daytona, an Louis Vuitton scarf, and a Cartier watch.
Expensive possessions
Shivakumar’s Simple-Living Explanation
Shivakumar said costly items linked to him are often gifts from friends rather than things he personally seeks out.
BJP’s Hypocrisy Criticism
The BJP highlighted his declared assets of about Rs 1,413.78 crore and used the luxury references to accuse him of hypocrisy.
- Haircut cost
- Rs 50, according to Shivakumar.
- Declared assets
- About Rs 1,413.78 crore for Shivakumar and his dependants in his 2023 Karnataka Assembly election affidavit.
- Gift mentioned
- A Louis Vuitton muffler, which Shivakumar said was given to him by a friend.
- Security advice
- Security personnel advised Shivakumar not to visit his regular barber at a public place in Delhi.
- BJP criticism
- The BJP’s Karnataka unit called his remarks “hypocrisy pro max.”
- Shivakumar’s position
- He said he believes in simple living and that expensive items are often gifts from friends.