Shivakumar as Shiva on Karnataka newspaper frontpage, people call it blasphemy

Key points

• Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony of DK Shivakumar as Karnataka's Chief Minister on Wednesday, a Kannada newspaper has triggered a controversy after publishing an illustration depicting the Congress leader as Lord Shiva.
• The Bengaluru-based newspaper is now facing criticism, with many (including critics) accusing it of "blasphemy" and "political sycophancy".
• Kannada daily Vishwavani's lead story on Wednesday portrayed Shivakumar as the Hindu deity Shiva, complete with jata (matted hair), tiger-skin attire, a trishool and a damru.
• The illustration was also shared on X by the newspaper's Editor-in-Chief, Vishweshwar Bhat, on Wednesday.
• The depiction of Shivakumar as Hindu deity Shiva quickly sparked outrage on the day the 64-year-old Congress leader is set to take the oath as the Karnataka CM.