The Udupi District Congress Committee has called for action against Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa, alleging she breached service rules by displaying an RSS flag during a religious event in the city earlier this week.

In a representation submitted to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday, the Congress committee’s legal and human rights department claimed that the district commissioner publicly held and raised an RSS flag during the early-morning Paryaya procession on 18 January.

According to the complaint, the centuries-old procession began around 3 am and moved from Jodukatte to Sri Krishna Math. The Congress alleged that prior to the procession, Udupi BJP MLA Yashpal Suvarna handed the district commissioner an RSS flag, which she then displayed publicly.

Describing the act as a breach of government service conduct rules and the constitutional principle of secularism, the Congress demanded a formal inquiry and appropriate legal action. “This conduct is highly objectionable and undermines the neutrality expected of a civil servant,” the complaint stated.

BJP Counters, Accuses Congress of Targeting Hindu Traditions

The matter has sparked a strong political backlash from the BJP, which defended the district commissioner and accused the Congress of politicising Hindu traditions.

BJP leaders argued that the saffron, or Bhagwa, flag is a sacred symbol of Hindu culture and was displayed in line with long-standing traditions associated with the Paryaya Mahotsava, observed in Udupi for centuries.

Udupi BJP MLA Yashpal Suvarna said it was inappropriate to compare the display of the Bhagwa flag to any political or foreign symbol. He claimed the Congress was selectively targeting Hindu religious practices while ignoring other matters.

“This reflects the Congress party’s anti-Hindu mindset and vote-bank politics,” Suvarna asserted on X, adding that holding the Bhagwa flag should not be treated as a violation.

The BJP’s Karnataka unit also accused the Congress of opposing Sanatan Dharma and attempting to politicise a religious tradition, stating that the people of the state would respond to what it described as repeated interference in Hindu customs.