Udupi, 21 Jan

The State Congress has raised objections to District Commissioner TK Swaroopa over holding a saffron flag during a religious procession here.

The party has demanded action against her, while the officer insisted her participation was official, not political.

The District Congress Committee’s Legal and Human Rights Cell wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking action after Swaroopa allegedly waved the flag on 18 January, handed to her by Udupi BJP MLA Yashpal Suvarna, during the Paryaya Procession from Jodu Katte to Krishna Math.

Harish Shetty, Cell president, said such conduct violated service rules and secular principles, calling for inquiry and suitable legal action.

Swaroopa responded that she flagged off the Puraprevesh programme at 3am as part of her duties as Udupi City Council administrator and had participated in civic honour events for the new Swamiji, emphasising there was no political intent.

The procession marked the Paryayotsava, transferring ritual and administrative control of Udupi Sri Krishna Temple to Shiroor Matha. Under the centuries-old Paryaya system, the Ashta Mathas rotate temple management every two years, following the tradition instituted by 13th-century Dvaita philosopher-saint Sri Madhwacharya.