SIDDARAMAIAH’S ABSENCE AT UDUPI: A SILENCE LOUDER THAN THE LAKSHA GEETA

 The Laksha Geetotsava held in Udupi over the past week was expected to be a grand cultural and devotional gathering. Thousands of devotees took part in the celebrations, and the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi added to the event’s significance. A few days later, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also visited the programme, drawing his own share of attention. Though the two leaders came on different days, their visits became a major talking point across coastal Karnataka.

But alongside the celebrations, another discussion quietly took shape. Many people wondered why Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was not seen at the event. Udupi Krishna Temple holds a special place in the state’s cultural memory, especially because of the story of Kanakadasa, whose devotion is commemorated by the famous Kanakana Kindi. Since Kanakadasa belonged to the Kuruba community, the same community as Siddaramaiah, many assumed the Chief Minister would naturally receive an invitation and attend the event at least on one of the days.

However, there has been no clear information on whether the Chief Minister was invited and declined, or whether he was not invited at all. That uncertainty itself has raised questions. Devotees and locals felt that his presence would have given the festival a sense of completeness and inclusiveness, especially in a place where history and devotion are so deeply intertwined.

Adding to this speculation is the fact that Puttige Mutt’s senior pontiff, Sugunendra Theertha Swami, chose to invite Pawan Kalyan but seemingly did not extend the same gesture toward Karnataka’s own leadership. Given that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are already navigating internal political tensions, this omission appeared even more noticeable.

For many, the issue is not about political rivalry but about the message the event sends. Large religious programmes in Karnataka have traditionally welcomed leaders from across parties and backgrounds. When only certain leaders are invited and others are kept away, people naturally look for meaning behind the choices.

The Laksha Geetotsava was meant to be a celebration of music and devotion. And while it succeeded in many ways, the questions around invitations and absences linger. In coastal Karnataka, where people closely observe both religion and politics, such moments are not forgotten easily.