Page 25 - Karnataka

Siddaramiah refuses BJP's demand for minister's resignation in suicide case

In response to the BJP's call for a CBI investigation, Siddaramaiah questioned the party's faith in the state police

Centre to address high mining taxes in upcoming consultations with states

The SC last year permitted states to impose additional taxes on mining activities, indicating that royalty collected by states under Sec 9 of the Mines and Minerals (Dev & Reg) Act, 1957 is not a tax

Contractor death case: Police book Priyank Kharge's aide, five others

A case has been registered against the close aide of Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, Raju Kapanur and five others in connection with hatching a conspiracy to kill BJP MLA Basavaraj Mattimadu and other leaders, police said on Sunday. The case was registered based on a suicide note by a civil contractor, Sachin Panchal, who had mentioned that the Congress leaders had connived to kill Mattimadu, Siddalinga Swami of Andola Math, BJP leaders Manikanth Rathod and Chandu Patil. Panchal, a contractor from Bidar, allegedly ended his life by lying down in front of an approaching train on Thursday. In his suicide note, he had accused Kapanur and his aides of making death threats. Meanwhile, the Bidar District-In Charge Minister, Eshwar Khandre, who holds the forest portfolio, visited Panchal's residence in Bhalki Taluk. As soon as the officials visited the house, the angry family members shouted at them to go away as they held them responsible for Sachin's death. Khandre consoled and ass

Karnataka varsity makes history by appointing 1st transwoman guest lecturer

With her appointment to Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University, 27-year-old K N Renuka Pujar has likely become the first transgender person to be appointed as a guest lecturer at a university in Karnataka. Pujar, who completed her post-graduation in Kannada at the University, joined its Kannada department at the Nandihalli campus (PG centre) earlier this month as a guest lecturer, varsity officials said. "I'm very happy. After a lot of struggle, I have reached this stage. The university has helped me a lot. I completed my degree in 2018 and became transgender in 2017 when I was in my second year. I completed my MA in 2022 and am working as a guest lecturer," the resident of Kurugodu in Ballari district, told PTI. Noting that she received support from her parents, which helped her reach this stage, Pujar said her family comes from an agricultural background, and her parents educated her to achieve in life. "The faculty at the university also supported me when I was admitted and

Elaborate security in place for New Year celebrations: Bengaluru Police

With just days left for 2025, the Bengaluru Police has made elaborate arrangements for the upcoming New Year celebrations in the city with tight security deployment on heavy footfall areas of the city to ensure safety of public and smooth flow of traffic. Addressing a press conference here, City Police Commissioner B Dayananda said that like every year, Bengaluru Police has made elaborate security arrangements for the New Year Celebrations in the city to ensure no untoward incidents take place. "Based on the previous year's incidents and experience, we are improving the security. We have identified the areas where people are going to gather in large numbers. MG road, Brigade Road junction, Koramangala, Indiranagar and so on, accordingly arrangements have been done," he said. According to him, meetings and discussions have been held with civic body BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike), Metro, and other organisations. They were appealed to make arrangements for lighting, ...

7-day mourning for Manmohan Singh; Karnataka, Telangana announce holiday

Karnataka and Telangana have declared holiday in honour of Manmohan Singh; Central government has announced 7-day national mourning with flags at half-mast and full state honours for the former PM

CWC meet: Cong deliberates on 2025 roadmap, vows to protect Gandhi's legacy

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting named "Nav Satyagraha Baithak" began here on Thursday as the party marks the 100th anniversary of its Belgaum session that was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi and chalks out a plan for the political and electoral challenges in 2025. Top Congress leaders, including party chief Mallikarjjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi, marched to the venue of the extended CWC meeting here. The meeting, steeped in historical contexts, began at the same venue where Mahatma Gandhi had assumed the presidency of the party 100 years ago. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakaumar, Congress general secretaries Jairam Ramesh and K C Venugopal, among others, are attending the "historic" meeting. A controversy has erupted over the alleged misrepresentation of India's map on the posters displayed by the party to commemorate the centenary of the 1924 Congress session, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dubbing it as

Congress putting up banners with 'distorted' map of India, alleges BJP

The BJP alleged on Thursday that the Congress, ahead of the CWC meeting in Karnataka's Belagavi, put up welcome banners with a distorted map of India, and asked the party whether it is following a "signal" from anti-India forces like US-based billionaire investor George Soros. The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) charge came after its Karnataka unit posted on X pictures of a banner and a welcome flex allegedly put up by the Congress in Karnataka ahead of its working committee meeting. "@INCKarnataka has shown utter disrespect for India's sovereignty by displaying a distorted map at their Belagavi event, portraying Kashmir as part of Pakistan. All this just to appease their vote bank. This is shameful!" the Karnataka BJP posted on X, along with pictures. There was no immediate reaction from the Congress on the BJP's charge. "Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Aksai Chin appear to be missing from the map used by the Congress. The important thing is that it (the map) has been used with

Congress to hold two-day extended session in Belagavi; what's its history?

The first day's session will be held at Veera Soudha, the venue of the 1924 Congress meeting, while on the second day, the unveiling of a Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Karnataka state assembly

Ayyappa devotee dies, 7 under treatment from injuries in Hubbali fire

The remaining seven victims continue to receive treatment at the Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute in Hubbali

BJP seeks K'taka Guv's intervention in arrest of CT Ravi, demands inquiry

The BJP described the arrest as politically motivated, accusing the ruling Congress government of using state machinery to silence dissent and undermine democratic principles

Proposal to name Mysuru road after K'taka CM Siddaramaiah evokes objections

A proposal by the Mysuru City Corporation council to name a stretch of road in the city after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has evoked strong objections. According to official sources, the proposal calls for naming a stretch of KRS Road from the Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy temple to the Outer Ring Road junction as 'Siddaramaiah Arogya Marga'. Based on a suggestion by Chamaraja Congress MLA Harish Gowda, the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) took the decision at its meeting on November 22. The matter was first placed before the Mysuru deputy commissioner prior to being tabled in the council meeting. The MCC then issued a newspaper notice inviting views from the public on the proposal within 30 days on December 13, the sources said. Mysuru is the home district of Siddaramaiah, who is serving his second term as the chief minister. The JD(S) called the move to name the KRS Road in the historic city of Mysuru as 'Siddaramaiah Arogya Marga' condemnable. Pointing out that Siddaramaia

Bandh observed in K'taka's Kalaburagi over Shah's statement on Ambedkar

Protesters in Kalaburagi took to streets on Tuesday following a bandh call given by Dalit organisations to condemn the recent statement of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on B R Ambedkar in the Parliament. Adequate security arrangements have been put in place by the police to avoid any untoward incidents. According to police, the city is completely shut with no traffic movement as buses, auto rickshaws and taxis are not operating and shops are also shut following the bandh call given by various Dalit organisations. "A bandh is being observed in Kalaburagi after a call for the same was given by various Dalit organisations condemning the statement of union home minister on Ambedkar. We have deployed police forces in large numbers. Adequate security measures are in place to avoid any untoward incident," a senior police officer said. "Situation remains peaceful and everything is under control," he said. Protesters took to the streets and are burning tyres at the city bus stand, SVP Circ

Case registered against individuals who attempted to attack BJP MLC CT Ravi

A case has been registered against individuals who attempted to attack BJP MLC CT Ravi on December 19 at Belagavi Suvarna Soudha.

Kumaraswamy announces Rs 15,000 cr revival plan for Visvesvaraya factory

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H D Kumaraswamy, announced on Sunday plans to revive the Sir M Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Factory in Bhadravati with an estimated investment of Rs 15,000 crore. Speaking at the 87th All India Kannada Literary Conference in Mandya, the Minister stated that this decision aligns with the Modi government's efforts to address unemployment and focus on industrial growth in Karnataka. The Minister highlighted the historical significance of the Bhadravati factory, established under Mysuru Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya. Once a source of employment for thousands and a livelihood for lakhs, Kumaraswamy expressed confidence that the glorious days of the steel factory would soon return. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has entrusted me with the critical responsibilities of the Heavy Industries and Steel portfolios. I am working diligently to ensure these responsibilities benefit Karnataka," said ...

Cubbon Reads event in Bengaluru park stopped, organisers claim harassment

Cubbon Reads, a 'silent reading group' in Bengaluru, claimed that their members were evicted and asked to pay a fine of Rs 35,000 for using the Cubbon Park premises

BJP diverting public attention with CT Ravi ill-treatment claim: Shivakumar

By claiming ill-treatment of party leader and MLC CT Ravi by police post his arrest, the BJP was attempting to deviate public attention from the original issue of him allegedly using derogatory language against a woman minister, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar alleged on Saturday. Highlighting that conscience was important, he hit out at the BJP leadership in the state for supporting Ravi, who was arrested for making a derogatory comment against state minister Laxmi Hebbalkar. "...ask them (BJP) if what he (Ravi) said was right or not. Let's discuss other things later. This shows the culture of their party and leader...what happened in the court is left to him (Ravi) and the police and the crime he committed. The main issue is his language and his culture," Shivakumar told reporters here in response to a question on the High Court ordering Ravi's release on Friday. Alleging that Ravi has used derogatory language against several people in the past, the deputy CM said h

I still have life threat, DK Shivakumar planned something: BJP's CT Ravi

The case against Ravi was filed by Karnataka Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar who alleged that CT Ravi used derogatory words against her

Grant 0.5% interim reservation to transgenders, Karnataka HC tells NLSIU

The Karnataka High Court has directed the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) to provide 0.5 per cent interim quota to the transgenders in admissions and fees waiver till the varsity formulates a policy on reservation for such applicants. The bench headed by Justice Ravi V Hosmani also asked NLSIU to approach the Centre and the state government for appropriate grants to cover the financial aid. The court took note of the one per cent reservation provided for transgenders in employment by state government to prescribe 0.5 per cent quota for the community. The court direction was based on a petition filed by Mugil Anbu Vasantha.

Ready to form committee to look into Waqf properties issue: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said he is ready to form a committee headed by a retired judge to look into the Waqf properties issue. The chief minister also assured the Karnataka Assembly that the government will not remove those temples which are built on Waqf properties. In case notices have been served to them, then they will be withdrawn, he said. Replying to the question raised by the opposition BJP on the Waqf land issue in the ongoing Assembly session on Thursday, the chief minister said, "Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has given a detailed reply to the charges of the opposition party. "If they are not content with our reply, the government is ready to form a committee headed by a retired judge," the chief minister told the house. He also made it clear that the matter is not a prestige issue. Siddaramaiah said the central government had enacted the Wakf Act in 1954, which the state government cannot amend. "The BJP-led government was in power in t