Pramodadevi Wadiyar Alleges Police Misconduct During Mysuru Dasara

Rajmata Pramodadevi Wadiyar has alleged police arbitrariness and misconduct toward members of the Mysuru royal family during the Dasara celebrations, intensifying a growing controversy over the state government's management of the festival. She also cautioned that the royal family may review its decision to hand over the 'Golden Howdah' to the government in the future.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has charged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar with breaching cultural traditions in order to gain publicity. The state government has responded by saying it holds the royal family in high regard and is willing to resolve its complaints.

Urban Development Minister and Mysuru district in-charge minister Yatindra Siddaramaiah said the government did not acquire the 'Ambari' from the royal family free of cost. He said both the government and the royal family had cooperated in making arrangements for the Dasara festival.

Referring to the Ambari that carries the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, he said it is a palace asset for which the government pays. He added that the Forest Department had taken its time choosing the elephant to carry the Ambari and was not, to his knowledge, required to inform the royal family about its choice.

Yatindra argued that the royal family could have conveyed its concerns to the government directly rather than through a letter to the media. He pointed out that officials were in touch with the palace and had invited family members to share their expectations. Barring the cancellation of the traditional 'Jatti Kalaga' wrestling during Vijayadashami, he said, there were no major problems. He assured that the government would hold talks with the family and address its grievances.

Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said the government was following a practice that has continued since the royal family stepped away from managing the celebrations. He said the chief minister had done nothing new and that, if the family had been offended, officials would visit them and set matters right.

In a letter released to the media on Sunday, Pramodadevi said the elephant selected to carry the Ambari had been kept from the royal family for about 45 years and was not disclosed until the last moment. She said she had to contact the Deputy Conservator of Forests herself to obtain the information.

She also suggested that holding the Ambari procession from Mysuru Palace to Bannimantap during the future Chamundi Rathotsava would be more appropriate. She said religious rituals are central to the royal family's Navaratri celebrations, and that government-organised Dasara events have little connection with those traditions. She added that the family could approach the High Court if the government's steps obstruct its customs, though it has not done so yet.