Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Siddaramaiah Statue Removed Ahead of Shivakumar’s Kalaburagi Visit
A large golden statue of Siddaramaiah suddenly appeared in Kalaburagi.
It was about nine feet tall and showed him raising his hands as if waving.
Reports said seven or eight of his fans put it there without asking city officials.
People nearby were curious because they thought the government had installed it.
Officials learned about the statue and quickly took it away with police nearby.
The concrete holding it in place was reportedly still wet.
The statue appeared when Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar was visiting the city for a festival.
Some political analysts thought Siddaramaiah’s supporters may have been sending a message about his importance.
The reports did not identify who specifically organized the installation.
A nine-foot golden statue resembling former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appeared near Kalaburagi’s High Court road intersection.
Sources said seven or eight of Siddaramaiah’s fans installed it on Wednesday without permission.
Municipal officials removed the statue later that night or the following morning with police present.
The removal occurred as Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar visited Kalaburagi for the Kalyana Karnataka Utsava.
Political analysts said the statue’s timing may have signaled Siddaramaiah’s continuing importance to some supporters.
- Who
- Siddaramaiah’s fans reportedly installed the statue, and municipal officials removed it; Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar was visiting Kalaburagi.
- What
- An unauthorized nine-foot golden statue resembling former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was installed and then removed.
- When
- It was reportedly installed on Wednesday and removed later that night or the following morning, on September 17.
- Where
- Near the High Court road intersection in Kalaburagi, Karnataka.
- Why
- Officials removed it because it had been installed without permission; analysts said its timing may have been intended as a political message.
Official and procedural view
Supporters’ political message
Whether the installation was acceptable
Official and procedural view
Municipal authorities treated the statue as an unauthorized installation and removed it because no permission had been obtained.
Supporters’ political message
Siddaramaiah’s fans reportedly installed the statue, apparently presenting it as a tribute to the former chief minister.
Meaning of the timing
Official and procedural view
The statue appeared while officials were preparing for the Kalyana Karnataka Utsava and a chief ministerial visit.
Supporters’ political message
Political analysts said the timing may have signaled that some Siddaramaiah supporters still viewed him as the major leader.
- Statue subject
- Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
- Height
- Nine feet
- Appearance
- Golden-colored figure raising its hands as if waving
- Installers
- Seven or eight people reportedly described as Siddaramaiah’s fans
- Permission
- Sources said the statue was installed without local authority approval
- Location
- Near the High Court road intersection in Kalaburagi
- Removal
- Municipal officials removed it with police present
- Event context
- The incident coincided with D. K. Shivakumar’s visit for the Kalyana Karnataka Utsava
