DK Shivakumar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and the state Congress president came under criticism from within his own party after he shared an invitation for a Mahashivratri event organised by Sadhguru, the founder of Isha Foundation and a well-known spiritual leader.

PV Mohan, an AICC secretary, criticised Shivakumar in a post on the social media platform X, saying that his action "damages the core" of the party. Shivakumar also shared the stage with Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the ceremony on Wednesday. Organised by the Isha Foundation, the Mahashivratri event is a nightlong celebration that features the spiritual leader's meditations and musical performances. PV Mohan tagged the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister in his tweet and questioned how he could express gratitude to someone who made fun of Rahul Gandhi while "serving as a president of a secular party."

Mohan was talking about a thank-you note shared by Shivakumar, in which he expressed gratitude for being invited to the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore to celebrate Maha Shivaratri. Shivakumar uploaded a picture of the invitation and a "thank you" to Sadhguru on social media, shortly after sharing his experience at Isha Yoga Center. “I am not criticising, I was just expressing my opinion about his (Shivakumar’s) ideological ways. Both Isha Foundation and Jaggi Vasudev’s ideologies align with that of BJP and RSS. We are totally against RSS ideologies and Rahul has repeatedly mentioned that whoever follows RSS ideologies can leave the party,” Mohan told India Today, clarifying his comment on X. He emphasised that while he had no problem with Shivakumar visiting temples, as the KPCC president and Deputy Chief Minister, his actions should align better with the party’s values. 

Mohan stated that Rahul Gandhi was the national leader of the party, whereas Amit Shah stood for hate. He also mentioned that expressing such views publicly was not appropriate. He reminded everyone that the party had always opposed RSS ideologies and that when party workers participated in RSS-organised events, it only created confusion among them. DK Shivakumar, who has been in the spotlight due to power struggles and speculations about Congress leadership in Karnataka, recently dismissed any links with the BJP. He stated that he has been a Congressman since birth while also being a devoted Hindu at heart. His statement came in response to media questions about his participation in the Maha Kumbh and his recent visits to various temples.