Shivakumar orders removal of unauthorised publicity before Mysuru Dasara

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has directed the Mysuru City Corporation and city police to make Mysuru free of unauthorised flex posters and publicity materials during the Dasara festivities. The Chief Minister issued the instruction on Saturday while reviewing preparations for Mysuru Dasara-2026 at the Zilla Panchayat hall.

Officials were told to begin removing the materials from Monday, with official Dasara publicity exempted. Mr. Shivakumar specifically said unauthorised publicity, including material carrying his own photographs, should not be permitted.

The directive comes as the city prepares to receive thousands of visitors for the celebrations. He said ambassadors from several countries had been invited, while religious heads had been invited to take part in the inauguration atop Chamundi Hill on October 11. Sri Gavisiddeshwara Swami of Gavimath in Koppal had been invited to inaugurate the festivities.

The Chief Minister also asked the district administration to consult the Mysuru royal family and respect its members’ suggestions and guidance. He said politics should not enter the celebrations. Ministers would be assigned responsibility for particular days, with the list to be released later.

Among the planned features are an invitation to Karnataka’s Asian Games medal winners to participate in Yuva Dasara, a tableau representing the Tibetan community in Karnataka, particularly Bylakuppe, and a special tableau from Dakshina Kannada. Mr. Shivakumar directed the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation to ensure that the 21-day illumination remained a major attraction.

Officials were also told to improve arrangements for gold card and ticket holders by clearly displaying seat numbers. Authorities were asked to group folk and cultural teams presenting similar programmes to avoid repetition, prevent harassment of tourists and monitor hotel and other establishment rates so visitors would not be overcharged.