Bengaluru, Jun 28 (PTI): As this year’s Vijayadashami coincides with Gandhi Jayanti, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday directed officials that tableaux prepared for the Mysuru Dasara celebrations must reflect Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals.

He said Gandhi’s philosophy should be suitably represented alongside the government’s welfare schemes and achievements.

"This year Dasara is falling on Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. So I have instructed officials that Dasara should be celebrated in a manner that makes Gandhi Jayanti meaningful. Especially the tableaux should reflect Gandhi’s ideals," the CM told reporters.

Siddaramaiah briefed reporters after presiding over a high-level committee meeting at Vidhana Soudha on the preparations for Dasara-2025.

The CM said the historical and cultural significance of the festival should not be overshadowed by sheer extravagance.

He emphasised that unnecessary spending does not amount to grandeur and that public safety and convenience must be the top priority.

"This year, Dasara will begin on September 22 and culminate with the Jamboo Savari on October 2, making it an 11-day event instead of the usual 10," the CM said.

He emphasised that the programmes should be designed to uphold the rich cultural, religious, and historical traditions of the Mysuru Dasara, which is globally renowned.

He stated that while Rs 40 crore was allocated last year, adequate funds will be provided this year as well to organise a grand celebration.

He asked departments to plan meaningful exhibitions and displays to showcase government initiatives and guarantee schemes in a way that connects with the public.

He also called for people-centric policies to be effectively communicated during the festivities.

With more than 10 lakh people expected to attend, including foreign tourists, the CM directed officials to give the utmost attention to crowd management and safety measures.

He said police personnel must be people-friendly and law and order should be maintained without any lapses.

The number of seats in front of the Mysore Palace will be reduced this time to manage crowding during the Jamboo Savari. Officials were asked to ensure that there is no overcrowding at any of the programme venues.

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New Delhi (PTI): Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday authenticated a copy of an article in the Lok Sabha which cited former army chief M M Naravane's unpublished 'memoir' but it failed to end the impasse over the matter, leading to a brief adjournment.

With Gandhi insisting on raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Chair Krishna Prasad Tenneti moved on to other Speakers and asked Harish Balayogi of the TDP, an NDA constituent, to speak on the President's address after three opposition MPs refused to speak, showing solidarity with Gandhi.

As Balayogi spoke, opposition MPs raised slogans and the ruckus continued in the House, prompting the chair to adjourn it till 3 PM.

Tenneti asked Congress MP KC Venugopal to address the chair properly and not make any casual references to the chair.

As soon as Gandhi was asked to speak on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, he cited the Speaker's ruling of Monday and authenticated the copy of the article.

"I have authenticated it," he said.

To authenticate a document, a member has to submit a signed copy of it affirming that it is correct to the best of his knowledge.

Tenneti, who was chairing the House, asked him to table it and said "we will examine it and get back".

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Speaker passed a ruling on the matter and after that Gandhi should not raise the issue repeatedly.

Gandhi insisted that he is the Leader of Opposition and takes objection to the term 'permission' when he has to speak.

As the impasse continued over Gandhi seeking to quote the article, Tenneti adjourned the proceedings till 3 pm.

A row had erupted in the Lok Sabha on Monday when Gandhi sought to quote from an unpublished 'memoir' of the former army chief on the 2020 India-China conflict, but faced strong opposition from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other BJP members who accused the Congress leader of misleading the House.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla disallowed Gandhi from raising the issue, but he did not relent and several opposition leaders also rallied behind him. The House was adjourned twice and later for the day amid uproar as heated exchanges took place between the treasury and opposition benches.