All cautionary measures were taken before the wedding, HD Kumaraswamy told India Today on Friday. The former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader, HD Kumaraswamy is fending off criticism from political opponents who have accused him of being irresponsible by hosting his son's wedding at a time when the country is battling a pandemic.

Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Gowda wed Revathi, the grand-niece of Congress leader M Krishnappa in a small wedding function in the early hours of April 17. Pictures of the wedding show the newlyweds along with former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and his father, former prime minister HD Deve Gowda.

The former Karnataka CM made the announcement on Twitter on Friday afternoon. "Heartfelt thanks to the millions of activists and well-wishers," he tweeted. In another tweet, HD Kumaraswamy said, "Let's sit down and have a meal together with you and you, when this perilous situation that the world is currently facing is over."

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1/4 — H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) April 17, 2020

When asked about the wedding party where no social distancing norms were observed, HD Kumaraswamy said that there were news reports that demanded former PM HD Deve Gowda's arrest. "I feel very hurt," he added.

HD Kumaraswamy also accused Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa of flouting social distancing norms the previous week. "Who is responsible for the gathering that took place outside Bandra railway station in Mumbai?" he asked. The former Karnataka CM also said that only people who are blood-relatives attended the wedding function.

"I challenge (Karnataka Deputy CM) to take action if we did anything wrong," HD Kumaraswamy told India Today. He added that the district magistrate permitted the wedding function. Each car was issued passes for the function, HD Kumaraswamy said. He went further to say that people were not wearing masks because the WHO has said that it is not necessary for everyone to wear masks.