A fresh religious and political storm has erupted in Karnataka after a video involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah went viral on social media. The footage, captured on January 19, 2026, allegedly shows the Chief Minister refusing to accept a photograph of the revered saint Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy (Rayaru) offered by a devotee.
The incident has drawn a sharp and emotional rebuke from veteran actor and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Jaggesh, an ardent devotee of the saint, who warned that "insulting Rayaru" has historically led to a spiritual downfall.
The Incident: A Snub Caught on Camera
The controversy unfolded outside the Chief Minister’s residence in Bengaluru while he was seated in his car, interacting with the public and receiving grievance petitions. In the viral clip:
A young devotee approaches the car window and offers a framed portrait of Mantralaya Raghavendra Swamy.
The Chief Minister is seen immediately returning or "pushing back" the photograph with a stern look, refusing to take it into the vehicle.
Moments later, another individual hands over a book reportedly on Chanakya or political philosophy which the CM accepts without hesitation.
This contrast rejecting a religious icon while accepting a secular book—has been characterized by critics as a "selective snub" that hurts the sentiments of millions of followers of the Madhwa tradition.
"Rayaru is Alive, He Will Rise": Jaggesh’s Emotional Outburst
Actor Jaggesh took to social media to express his deep anguish, posting a lengthy message that quickly went viral among the "Rayara Bhaktas" (devotees of the saint).
"There is no history of anyone who insulted Rayaru and attained salvation or prosperity," Jaggesh wrote. "Millions of devotees serve him through chanting, penance, and fasting, praying for just a small drop of his grace. I have never in my life seen a person reject something offered with such pure devotion."
ರಾಯರನ್ನ ಅಪಮಾನ ಮಾಡಿದ ಯಾರು ಉದ್ಧಾರ ಆದ ಇತಿಹಾಸವಿಲ್ಲಾ!
— ನವರಸನಾಯಕ ಜಗ್ಗೇಶ್ (@Jaggesh2) January 20, 2026
ರಾಯರ ಸಣ್ಣ ಕೃಪೆ ನಮ್ಮಮೇಲೆ ಬೀಳಲಿ ಎಂದು ಕೋಟ್ಯಂತರ ಭಕ್ತವೃಂದ ಜಪತಪವೈರಾಗ್ಯ ಉಪವಾಸದಿಂದ ಸೇವೆಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ,
ಭಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಬಂದದ್ದು ಹೀಗೆ ತಿರಸ್ಕರಿಸಿದ ಪ್ರಥಮ ವ್ಯೆಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ಬದುಕಲ್ಲಿ ಕಂಡದ್ದು
ರಾಯರಿದ್ದಾರೆ🙏 ಎದ್ದುಬರುತ್ತಾರೆ🙏
ಕಾಯಬೇಕು..!!
ಜೈಹಿಂದ್🙏 pic.twitter.com/WXdSsaZVvK
Jaggesh further suggested that for a devotee, a gift of the saint's photo is a blessing, and its rejection is an ominous sign. "Rayaru is there... He will rise again. We must wait," he concluded, ending his post with a defiant "Jai Hind."
Political Aftershocks
The opposition has wasted no time in capitalizing on the optics. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka criticized the CM, alleging that Siddaramaiah consistently shows "insensitivity" toward Hindu traditions.
While the CM’s supporters argue that he may have declined the photo due to space constraints in the car or a personal policy against accepting religious gifts in an official capacity, the "video evidence" has already sparked protests and social media campaigns across the state.
As Karnataka remains a land where the Mantralaya Mutt holds immense spiritual and social sway, this seemingly small gesture has ballooned into a significant debate on the boundaries between a leader’s personal ideology and the public’s religious faith.
