Yaduveer Wadiyar Calls for Clear Protocols During Mysuru Dasara Ceremony

Mysuru, October 24 (Daily Kiran) : Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, a BJP MP and descendant of the Mysuru royal family, raised concerns over the large turnout for the Nandi flag worship ceremony during the Mysuru Dasara festival. He called for the establishment of clear protocols to manage attendance at the event. Tensions escalated during the festivities when police temporarily barred senior Dalit ministers from participating in the traditional Nandi flag worship.Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Wadiyar stated that the presence of the Chief Minister and one or two officials should suffice for the rituals. He questioned the necessity of such a large gathering. "They need to clarify the protocols first. I am not aware of any such guidelines. If the Chief Minister attends with just two people, that should be enough. Why does everyone want to go there?" he asked. Wadiyar noted that he has participated in these rituals for the past 12 years under the Rajamata's guidance.He mentioned that in previous years, only the Chief Minister and a couple of officials attended the ceremonies. "This is a government-organized event, and the government must make the decisions. I believe it's better to have fewer people, as the rituals should take precedence and be conducted properly," he added. He emphasized that the Chief Minister's presence alone is enough to represent the entire state, suggesting that not everyone needs to be present at the ceremony.He also pointed out that the royal family has never insisted on their own attendance. Wadiyar suggested that there is room for improvement in some Dasara events and that lessons should be learned from this year's celebrations when planning for the next. "We will provide suggestions, and action should follow. It wouldn't be right to just make accusations. I will raise these issues on the appropriate platform," he stated, urging the government to define and enforce protocols for future events.Regarding the participation of Chief Ministers from Kerala and Telangana in the Dasara festival, Wadiyar welcomed their invitation as a positive step that enhanced the festival's visibility. He remarked that if they were invited, there should be no issue with them offering flowers to Goddess Chamundeshwari. "If they are invited but then not allowed to offer flowers, how is that possible? That’s why I stress the need for clear protocols. It’s better to have a framework in place," he explained.When asked about the cancellation of the traditional 'Jatti Kalaga' event, Wadiyar indicated that his mother would provide clarification on the matter and further responses would come after her statement. Meanwhile, Rajamata Pramodadevi Wadiyar expressed concerns about an elephant named Prashant, which carried the golden howdah of Goddess Chamundeshwari during the Mysuru Dasara for the first time. However, she praised the elephant for performing well, remaining calm throughout the procession, and causing no issues.She noted that both the elephant and the howdah were beautifully adorned, saying, "I had a bit of worry this time, but there was no cause for concern."