DKS broaches religion of Siddaganga seer’s doctor, later apologises

BENGALURU: Water wealth and medical education minister DK Shivakumar has collect up a controversy, placing the religion of the doctor who is treating Siddaganga mutt pontiff Shivakumara Swami in Chennai.

“I’m very happy that Shivakumara Swami is fast recovering. It’s all because of the expertise and effort of Dr Mohammed Rela, a Muslim, who runs the finest Dr Rela Institute and Medical Centre. Therefore, we all should keep one thing in mind that there is no point in playing politics in the name of caste or religion,” Shivakumar said, soon after he arrived at Sambra airport in Belagavi to address the winter session of the legislature.His statement, an evident move to placate minorities, triggered angry reactions from the junior pontiff of the mutt and the BJP leaders who accused him of playing politics in the name of religion.

On Friday, the pontiff was airlifted to the Chennai hospital where he went through an operation to treat his liver and bile duct infection.Junior pontiff Siddalinga Swami said: “There is no caste in noble professions like doctors and teachers. The minister’s statement is in bad taste. Our society considers doctors as equivalent to God. For them, there is no caste or creed.”BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa and former deputy CM R Ashoka hit out at Shivakumar for “playing politics in the name of the Walking God.”“As a senior minister, he should not stoop to such a level. He is free to play politics in Vidhana Soudha or on the streets but not in hospitals and mutts,’’ they added.

‘No intention to hurt anyone’

If my statement has hurt the mutt or anyone, I tender an apology. I had no intention of playing politics, as is being alleged by the BJP. After visiting the hospital, I was affected with the expertise and dedication of the doctor. So I made that statement DK Shivakumar, medical education minister