Shivakumar Defends Congress's Probe Into Ballari Violence, Mocks Janardhana Reddy’s Security Demand

Last Updated:January 05, 2026, 11:41 IST

DK Shivakumar mockingly suggested that the mining scion could seek protection "from the US or Iran" if he so chose.

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday signaled that Congress’s fact-finding committee has secured “important information" regarding the recent unrest in Ballari. Speaking to reporters at Palace Grounds, Shivakumar disclosed that committee head HM Revanna has already shared both formal and informal briefings on the violence. While the final report is still pending, the DCM’s remarks suggest that the government is tightening its grip on the narrative surrounding the high-profile shootout and the communal friction that followed.

The violence in Ballari, which recently escalated from political maneuvering into an open shootout, has left the district on the edge and triggered a war of words over regional icons. Shivakumar stepped firmly into the fray regarding the controversy over Maharshi Valmiki banners, which had become a point of contention for Gali Janardhana Reddy. The DCM argued that Valmiki belongs to the entire nation rather than a single community, noting that the author of the Ramayana is a universal figure whose symbols should not be subjected to political gatekeeping. He dismissed Reddy’s objections as baseless, asserting that the installation of statues and banners of such historical figures should be welcomed by all.

Turning his attention to Janardhana Reddy’s formal request for Z+ security following the shootout, Shivakumar adopted a dismissive and sharp-tongued tone. He remarked that the government had no interest in blocking Reddy’s security ambitions, mockingly suggesting that the mining scion could seek protection “from the US or Iran" if he so chose. Reacting to Union Minister V Somanna’s advocacy for Reddy’s safety, the DCM suggested that if Reddy felt truly vulnerable, he was free to “prepare a cadre" for his own defence rather than relying solely on state resources.

As the city waits to see if the case will be handed over to the CID or a Special Investigation Team (SIT), Shivakumar remained strategically vague. He noted that while the law would inevitably take its course, the final decision on a high-level probe rests with the Chief Minister and the Home Minister.

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