A viral video of a State Bank of India official in Bengaluru refusing to speak Kannada with a customer has sparked outrage and led to the official's transfer. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly condemned the incident and emphasized the importance of speaking local languages. He has called for mandatory cultural and language training for bank employees and urged them to respect local languages as it is a sign of respecting the people. The incident has reignited debates over linguistic identity in Karnataka, with some arguing for mandatory use of Kannada in banks.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that liquor prices in the state may see a sharp increase to match those in neighboring states. This comes as the government sets a target of Rs 40,000 crore for excise tax collection, with last year's collection standing at Rs 36,500 crore. The move has already caused a stir as beer duties were increased in January, leading to concerns of a potential drop in sales for liquor vendors.
Karnataka High Court has rejected an RTI activist's plea to transfer the investigation into the MUDA site allotment case, where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is accused of illegally allocating 14 sites to his wife. This decision comes as a relief for Siddaramaiah, as he faced allegations of wrongdoing by the opposition. The court's decision to dismiss the petition raises questions about the validity of the accusations made against the Chief Minister.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called out Union Minister Amit Shah for his disparaging remarks about B R Ambedkar, stating that Shah would have been a "scrap dealer" if not for the Constitution. Amidst din in the assembly, Siddaramaiah said Shah's words reflect the true opinion of the BJP and Sangh Parivar about Ambedkar. He also congratulated Shah for openly revealing their innermost thoughts. The House was adjourned twice as both the Congress and BJP MLAs sparred over the issue.
Karnataka BJP leader R. Ashoka has called out Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his "obsession with power" and false display of B.R. Ambedkar's legacy. He claims that the Congress party, which Siddaramaiah is a part of, has a history of betraying Ambedkar and his principles. Ashoka also highlights the government's lack of accountability and failure to address serious issues during the Belagavi session, and urges for the fulfillment of promises instead of false displays of respect for Ambedkar.
S.M. Krishna, a veteran politician and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, passed away on Tuesday. He is hailed for his contributions to the state, including the launch of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and the Yashasvini health insurance scheme. His foresight and leadership in the political arena are remembered by all, including current CM Siddaramaiah who was once a member of a party founded by S.M. Krishna. As a leader who served in all four legislative bodies and held various important positions, his legacy continues to shape Karnataka.
The Karnataka government has sent a proposal to the Governor to reconsider the prosecution of former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader B.S. Yediyurappa in the Bengaluru Development Authority case. This move is likely to spark a controversy as the Chief Minister and his ministers are already in a confrontational mode following the Governor's consent for prosecution in a different case. The complaint against Yediyurappa was filed by social activist T.J. Abraham, who also happens to be one of the petitioners seeking prosecution against CM Siddaramaiah.
The Karnataka government has sent a proposal to the Governor to reconsider the prosecution of former Chief Minister and BJP leader B.S. Yediyurappa in the Bengaluru Development Authority case, causing controversy. Social activist T.J. Abraham, who also petitioned against current CM Siddaramaiah in another case, filed the initial complaint against Yediyurappa and his family for alleged corruption. Despite this, the Governor rejected the request for prosecution, though the complaint contains serious allegations against Yediyurappa and his family members.
Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced plans to release the state's highly-anticipated caste survey report, which has faced opposition from various societal segments. The report, initiated by the Congress party, will be presented to the cabinet next month after previous attempts were hindered. Siddaramaiah's decision to move forward with the findings highlights the significance of effectively addressing historical inequalities through data-driven policy-making.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been named as the primary accused in an alleged scam in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The FIR was filed by the Lokayukta police following a court order, and named Siddaramaiah's wife and another individual as secondary accused. This comes after the Karnataka Governor initiated an investigation against the CM for alleged irregularities in land allotment. Siddaramaiah has denied any wrongdoing and refuses to step down from his position.