The official X handle of BJP Karnataka mocked the Chief Minister and questioned whether he had changed his stance against Pakistan.
Published May 07, 2025 | 11:51 PM ⚊ Updated May 07, 2025 | 11:51 PM
Siddaramaiah’s unexpected appearance with red sindoor on his forehead during a press briefing has stirred a political flutter.
Synopsis: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s unexpected appearance with red sindoor on his forehead during a press briefing has stirred a political flutter. The Chief Minister clarified it was merely due to his visiting a temple prior to the presser, but BJP and JD(S) mocked the timing, linking it to ‘Operation Sindhoor’ and accusing him of a sudden patriotic pivot on Pakistan.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, wore a red sindoor on Wednesday, 7 May, morning while he addressed the press at his residence, Kaveri, in Bengaluru.
When a media person asked about the reason for wearing it – something he has never done before on any occasion – Siddaramaiah responded, “I had been to Patalamma Temple today as there is a jatre (fair). Therefore, I wore tilak on my forehead.”
But opposition leaders found the gesture quite odd, especially given the timing.
The official X handle of Bharatiya Janata Party Karnataka mocked the Chief Minister and questioned whether he had changed his stance against Pakistan.
CM Siddaramaiah offers prayers at Patalamma Temple in Jayanagar, Bengaluru.
“Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, once against war with Pakistan, now wears ‘Operation Sindhoor’—quite literally on his forehead,” the post read.
Similarly, the X handle of Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] also mocked Siddaramaiah suggesting it was the “Operation Sindoor Effect.”
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and BJP leader R Ashoka similarly linked Siddaramiah sporting a tilak with the success of Indian armed forces action against Pakistan.
“As Operation Sindoor is a success, CM Siddaramaiah has sindoor on his forehead! Those who were afraid of sindoor have now got devotion, so what better day could there be?” he wrote.
In late April, following the deadly terror attack in J&K’s Pahalgam region that claimed the lives of 26 tourists, Siddaramaiah had called for peace, writing, “There has been a security lapse. We are in favour of war with Pakistan. Steps should be taken to tighten the security in the Kashmir region.”
His statement drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders including R Ashoka, CN Ashwath Narayana, BY Vijayendra and others.
Following this, Siddaramaiah issued a clarification. Speaking to the media, he said, “I did not mean to say we should not wage war against Pakistan. War with Pakistan only if it is inevitable. Tighten the security in Kashmir, where tourists go in large number.”
