Karnataka Council flays ‘Manuvaadi’ ritual after Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally

The Karnataka Legislative Council on Thursday witnessed a heated debate as members from the ruling party condemned a ritual performed by priests at a temple in Kalaburagi, which they described as ‘Manuvaadi’ (Brahminical/casteist). The opposition, however, defended the priests, stating that the ritual was a traditional practice and not intended to be discriminatory. The controversy erupted after a rally addressed by Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress president, where the priests reportedly performed the ritual. The ruling party members alleged that the ritual was aimed at insulting Kharge and the Dalit community, while the opposition accused them of politicizing a religious matter.