Yaduveer Wadiyar Urges Defined Dasara Protocol After Row
Mysuru, Oct 24
Amid a growing political row over the Mysuru Dasara celebrations, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamarajaa Wadiyar, BJP MP from Mysuru-Kodagu and a member of the Mysuru royal family, has questioned the large number of people attending the Nandi Dhwaja Pooja. He has asked the government to lay down a clear protocol for the event.
The controversy erupted during the festival when police officials temporarily stopped senior Dalit ministers from joining the traditional ritual.
While talking to reporters in Mysuru on Saturday, Yaduveer said the Chief Minister and one or two officials would be enough for the ceremony. He said there was no need for such a large crowd to take part.
“First, they should clarify the protocol. I have no knowledge of such a protocol. Even two people with the Chief Minister is sufficient. Why does everyone want to go there?” he asked.
He said he had been participating in the rituals for the past 12 years on the instructions of the Rajmata, representing the royal family. Earlier, he added, only the Chief Minister and one or two officials used to attend.
“It is a government-organised event, and the government has to decide and move ahead. I feel fewer people would be better, because rituals must be given priority and conducted in the right manner,” he said.
Yaduveer maintained that the Chief Minister’s presence alone is enough to represent the whole state, and not everyone needs to be present. He also said the royal family had never emphasised its own presence at the event.
Noting that some Dasara programmes have been improved while others still have significant scope for change, he said this year’s celebrations should be used as lessons while planning next year’s festivities.
“We will make suggestions and action should be taken. It is not proper to only level allegations. I will raise these issues at the appropriate forum,” he said. He urged the government to define the protocol clearly and announce that it would be followed from next year onward.
He also commented on the Chief Ministers of Kerala and Telangana taking part in the Dasara festivities. He described their invitation as a good step that gave the festival greater publicity. According to him, offering flowers to Goddess Chamundeshwari was not an issue if the Chief Ministers had been invited.
“If they are invited and then not allowed to offer flowers, how is that possible? That is why I stress a clear protocol. It would be better to have a framework,” he said.
On the cancellation of the traditional ‘Jatti Kalaga’ programme, Yaduveer said his mother would clarify the matter, and further reactions would follow her statement.
Rajmata Pramodadevi Wadiyar, meanwhile, said she had been worried about Prashant, the elephant that carried the golden howdah of Goddess Chamundeshwari for the first time during the Mysore Dasara. She said the elephant behaved very well, remained calm throughout the procession and created no trouble. She noted that both the elephant and the golden howdah were beautifully decorated.
“There was never any such worry before, but this time I was a little concerned,” she said.