Gods, Ambedkar, Seers, Reformers: What Karnataka Ministers Invoked in Their Oaths

New Delhi: As D.K. Shivakumar and 13 of his cabinet ministers were administered the oath of office by Karnataka governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on June 3, a report by The Hindu has highlighted the various institutions, reformers, seers and forces that the representatives invoked in their oaths.

The newspaper has reported that Shivakumar walked to the dais carrying a copy of the constitution and took oath in the name of the late seer Veera Gangadhara Ajjayya, his spiritual mentor, while holding the Constitution.

A Vokkaliga leader, Shivakumar has often spoken of his faith in Ajjayya. He also offered floral tributes to him and prostrated before the gathering.

Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara took oath in the name of Dr B.R. Ambedkar. Yathindra Siddaramaiah took oath in the name of the constitution.

Other ministers invoked various spiritual and ideological traditions as they took oath.

The Hindu reports how K.H. Muniyappa, K.J. George, Byrathi Suresh Sharan Prakash Patil, and U.T. Khader all took oath in the name of god. Eshwar Khandre invoked both god and Lingayat seer Lingaikya Channabasava Pattadevaru. M.B. Patil invoked Lingayatism founder Vishwaguru Basavanna, other Sharanas (Lingayat seers) and preacher Siddheshwar Swami.

While governor Gehlot appeared to remind ministers to adhere to the prescribed oath text, officials reported that this was not deviation from tradition.

Among those who did not invoke any names were Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byre Gowda, and Priyank Kharge.

The sequence was broken by U.T. Khader, who took oath in the name of God, followed by Eshwar Khandre, who invoked both God and Lingaikya Channabasava Pattadevaru.

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