BENGALURU: Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar clarified Saturday that an animal sacrifice ritual to "destroy his career" was not performed by his rivals at Rajarajeshwara Temple in Kerala's Kannur but at a "nearby private location". The statement followed a backlash from temple authorities and ministers in Left-governed Kerala against the Congress functionary , who was earlier quoted as saying that the rituals were held at the temple.
Responding to the Kerala govt's rebuttal that no animal sacrifice had occurred at the temple and that they would conduct an inquiry if necessary, Shivakumar claimed "some have misunderstood" his earlier statements.
"I have respect for all Kerala temples. It is God's own country. We respect them. I don't want to hurt the sentiments of anyone in Kerala or anywhere in the country," Shivakumar said. On the exact location, Shivakumar said: "I don't want to disclose."