Mysuru, Oct. 27 -- Former Corporator and Aniketana Seva Trust President K.V. Mallesh has defended Usha Shivakumar, wife of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, offering floral tributes to the Golden Howdah carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, saying the gesture should be seen as a message of women's equality rather than an offence.

In a press statement, he accused MLA S. Srivatsa of portraying her participation in the ceremony as a major wrongdoing. He said the criticism reflected a narrow-minded attitude and was an insult to women.

Mallesh pointed out that Usha Shivakumar was born and brought up in Ittigegud, Mysuru. Her participation in the floral offering ceremony, as the CM's wife and a daughter of the city, should have been a ma...