'Sit down': Siddaramaiah loses cool at Dasara inauguration, scolds audience
What's the story
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lost his temper during the inauguration of the Mysuru Dasara festival on Monday. He was seen pointing toward the audience and scolding some people for their alleged unruly behavior. "Can't you sit for a little while? Sit down. Who is that? If I tell you once, don't you understand? Why did you even come here? You should have stayed at home," he said in Kannada.
Twitter Post
Social media reaction to Siddaramaiah's outburst
CM Siddaramaiah gets angry at crowd as they started leaving..
— Amitabh Chaudhary (@MithilaWaala) September 22, 2025
“Why come if you can’t sit and listen to my speech for 1/2 hr ? Aey police, stop them from leaving” 😂😂#MysuruDasara2025 #Dasara pic.twitter.com/s3VwepyBhs
Controversial guest
Controversy over choice of chief guest
The festival was inaugurated by Banu Mushtaq. The choice of Mushtaq as the chief guest had sparked controversy after an old video of her expressing reservations about worshipping the Kannada language as "Goddess Bhuvaneshwari" went viral. Critics alleged her statements were "anti-Hindu" and "anti-Kannada." The case even reached the Supreme Court after a petition was filed seeking to stop her from inaugurating the festivities. However, the court ruled that a secular state cannot bar a dignitary from attending state-sponsored activities.
Festival defense
Dasara festival for all religions, castes: Siddaramaiah
Siddaramaiah defended the decision to invite Mushtaq, calling Dasara a festival for all religions and castes. "Dasara is not a festival of any one religion or caste, it is a festival of all," he said. He also emphasized that while Mushtaq may be a Muslim woman by birth, she is first and foremost a human being deserving love and respect without hate based on caste or religion.
Cultural showcase
Mysuru Dasara festival inaugurated in Mysuru
The Mysuru Dasara, also known as Sharan Navaratri, is an 11-day festival that highlights Karnataka's rich culture and traditions. The festivities were inaugurated by Booker Prize-winning writer Mushtaq, who began the 11-day celebrations during the auspicious "Vrushchika Lagna" by showering flowers on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari. In her inaugural address, Mushtaq said, "Our culture is our root, harmony is our strength, and economy is our wings. Let's build a new society that is filled with human values and love."