Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Karnataka CM warns BJP against unrest over Vande Mataram protests
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar criticized the BJP over a disagreement about Vande Mataram.
The BJP plans to hold a protest about the issue.
Shivakumar said the police officer involved was only trying to prevent trouble.
He accused the BJP of trying to provoke people and create unrest.
He said protests are allowed, but they should not harm the state.
Shivakumar also spoke about too little rain in parts of Karnataka.
The government is preparing a report in case the Central government assesses the drought situation.
Lawmakers will meet to discuss the problem, including drinking water and electricity supplies.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar accused the BJP of provoking people through its proposed Vande Mataram protest.
Shivakumar defended the police officer whose reported remarks triggered the controversy, saying the officer sought to prevent untoward incidents.
He urged BJP leaders to protest peacefully without creating unrest or damaging Karnataka’s reputation.
Shivakumar said inadequate rainfall could lead to drought and that the government was preparing a report for possible Central assessment.
A special legislative session will discuss drought concerns, while the government prepares measures for drinking-water supplies and power shortages.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and BJP leaders, including the Leader of the Opposition.
- What
- Shivakumar criticized the BJP’s proposed protest over the Vande Mataram issue and discussed inadequate rainfall, possible drought, power shortages and drinking-water preparations.
- When
- Tuesday; a special legislative session has also been convened to discuss the drought situation.
- Where
- Karnataka, including Bengaluru, where Shivakumar spoke to reporters after paying tribute to Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
- Why
- Shivakumar said the BJP was attempting to provoke people and create unrest, while the government is preparing for possible drought conditions caused by inadequate rainfall.
Karnataka Government
Bharatiya Janata Party
Vande Mataram controversy
Karnataka Government
D.K. Shivakumar says the police officer merely issued a warning to prevent an untoward incident and that the issue has been unnecessarily brought into public protests.
Bharatiya Janata Party
The BJP has proposed an agitation over the issue, indicating that it considers the police officer’s reported remarks serious enough to warrant protest.
Effect of protests
Karnataka Government
Shivakumar says the BJP is attempting to provoke people, create unrest and damage Karnataka’s reputation, while insisting that protests should remain peaceful.
Bharatiya Janata Party
The BJP is seeking to hold a protest; the article does not state its detailed response to Shivakumar’s accusations.
Drought response
Karnataka Government
Shivakumar says the government is preparing an assessment report, consulting farmers and arranging measures for water and power needs rather than politicizing the issue.
Bharatiya Janata Party
The article does not provide the BJP’s position on the rainfall or drought response.
- Chief minister
- D.K. Shivakumar
- Disputed issue
- A proposed BJP protest concerning Vande Mataram
- Shivakumar’s position
- The police officer involved only warned against possible untoward incidents
- Rainfall concern
- Several parts of Karnataka have received inadequate precipitation despite a forecast of rain
- Government response
- A comprehensive report is being prepared for a possible Central government assessment
- Legislative action
- A special session has been convened to discuss drought conditions
- Additional concerns
- The government is preparing for power shortages and uninterrupted drinking-water supply