Bengaluru: Panic spread in Indiranagar on February 9 after social media messages claimed that a serial killer was attacking people in the area. However, police have dismissed these rumours, clarifying that the incident involved a rowdy sheeter and not a serial killer.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) East, D Devaraja, stated that the accused, who has a history of petty theft and multiple cases against him, attacked four people with a knife on the night of February 8. According to the police, he was intoxicated and got into an altercation with his family before turning violent and injuring four individuals. He then fled the scene.

The victims are receiving treatment and are out of danger. An FIR has been registered at Indiranagar Police Station, and efforts are underway to apprehend the accused.

Police have urged the public not to spread unverified information that could cause panic. They also noted that Indian law does not specifically define a serial killer, but the term generally refers to an individual who commits multiple homicides where the victims are unknown, and the crimes are not personally motivated.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addresses the media

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday alleged that the BJP led Centre is betraying the state by allocating a mere Rs 6,310 crore of the Rs 1,73,030 crore allocated to states.

He also criticised the Karnataka BJP leaders for their silence against the ‘betrayal’.

In a statement, Siddaramaiah said he deliberately waited a couple of days, hoping that the BJP leaders in Karnataka would muster the courage to speak up for Kannadigas, which they did not do.

Instead of fighting for Karnataka’s rightful share, they were busy singing praises of Modi for this worst betrayal of Karnataka, the Chief Minister said.

He asked whether “bowing to Delhi while Karnataka is robbed of its dues” was the BJP leaders’ idea of leadership.

“The NDA government’s betrayal of Karnataka continues in full swing. Of the Rs 1,73,030 crore allocated to states, Karnataka has been given a mere Rs 6,310 crore — a shocking drop from previous installments. This injustice mocks every hardworking Kannadiga,” Siddaramaiah alleged.

Despite making up only 5 per cent of India’s population, Karnataka contributes 8.4 per cent to the nation’s GDP, he pointed out.

Siddaramaiah also claimed that Karnataka ranks second in GST collection and lead the nation in GST growth with an impressive 17 per cent increase.

“However, despite Karnataka’s significant contributions, the Union Budget has doubled from Rs 24.42 lakh crore in 2018-19 to Rs 48.20 lakh crore in 2024-25, Karnataka’s share has stagnated,” he charged.

In 2018-19, according to Siddaramaiah, Karnataka received Rs 46,288 crore, but in 2024-25, it has been allocated only Rs 44,485 crore, with an additional Rs 15,299 crore in grants.

He observed that Karnataka should receive at least Rs one lakh crore annually, “but continues to be denied its rightful share”.

“Why should Karnataka, contributing Rs 4.5 lakh crore annually to the national exchequer, receive only Rs 45,000 crore in tax share and Rs 15,000 crore in grants — a mere 13 paise for every rupee we contribute?” the Chief Minister sought to know.

“Meanwhile corruption-ridden states like Uttar Pradesh (Ra 31,039 crore), Bihar (Rs 17,403 crore), Madhya Pradesh (Rs 13,582 crore), and Rajasthan (Rs 10,426 crore) are showered with funds. Is Karnataka being punished for excelling in governance, GST growth, and development?” he alleged.

Siddaramaiah also said that the 15th Finance Commission reduced Karnataka’s tax share from 4.713 per cent to 3.64 per cent, costing the state Rs 79,770 crore over five years.

Even the recommended special grant of Rs 5,495 crore to compensate for these losses was denied by the Modi government, he alleged. He hit out at the state BJP leaders.

“And where are Karnataka’s BJP leaders? Silent as always. Why are they not demanding our rightful share? Are they representatives of Kannadigas or mere puppets of Delhi? Their silence is a betrayal of Karnataka’s people and their aspirations,” the Chief Minister charged. As the nation celebrates Sankranti, Karnataka, despite its unparalleled contributions, is left to fend for itself, he said.

“While our tax money builds the coffers of BJP leaders in UP, Bihar and MP, our people suffer during floods, droughts, and other crises,” Siddaramaiah alleged.

“This injustice demands an answer: ‘Our Tax, Our Right’. Karnataka will not tolerate this bias any longer. We call upon every Kannadiga, cutting across caste, religion, and politics, to rise against this discrimination. Let’s fight for what is rightfully ours!” the Chief Minister said.

New Delhi: Amid a row over Waqf land in Karnataka, officials from the state government are scheduled to appear before the parliamentary panel examining the Waqf Amendment Bill on Thursday.

The Joint Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, chaired by BJP member Jagadambika Pal, is scheduled to hear views from representatives of the governments of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Delhi in sittings spread over two days beginning Thursday.

Delhi’s Food and Supply Minister Imran Hussain is also scheduled to address the committee on Friday, followed by the recording of evidence by the representatives of the Delhi government.

The deposition of officials from the Congress-led Karnataka government comes in the wake of a row over claims by BJP leaders that over 1500 acres of land belonging to farmers in the state were being taken over by the Waqf board.

Pal had visited Karnataka and interacted with the farmers who had received notices from the state government regarding encroachment over properties belonging to the Waqf Board.

The committee had also written to state governments seeking details of Waqf properties occupied by them in an unauthorised manner as per the Sachar panel report.

The UPA government constituted the Sachar Committee in 2005 to study the social, economic and educational status of the Muslim community in India.

The parliamentary panel was constituted on August 8, soon after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha.

Opposition parties have stridently criticised the amendments proposed by the bill in the existing Waqf Act, alleging that they violate the religious rights of Muslims. The ruling BJP has asserted that the amendments will bring transparency in the functioning of the waqf boards and make them accountable.

Bengaluru: The ‘Secret Santa’ event organised by the silent reading group Cubbon Reads in Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park was abruptly halted on Saturday afternoon after park authorities confiscated a large number of books and detained event curators. The disruption occurred when the event attracted a significantly larger crowd than the organisers had anticipated.

The Secret Santa event involved attendees bringing wrapped books, which were then randomly re-distributed based on a numbered chit. Following the confiscation, the group took to social media to express their frustration, saying, “We really hope they give the books back as it was merely a gift… we were not doing it for any commercial reason.”

While the authorities claim that over 1,000 people attended, the group maintains that the turnout was around 500, acknowledging that they had not expected such a big turnout.

Kusuma G, Deputy Director of Horticulture at Cubbon Park, told Deccan Herald that any gathering of more than 20 people at the park requires prior permission from the department, which Cubbon Reads had not obtained. She explained that to hold events, a fee of Rs 30,000 and a security deposit of Rs 20,000 are required, regardless of whether the event is free or non-commercial. She further clarified that while events like marathons, walkathons, yoga sessions, and book readings are permitted, religious activities are not allowed in the park.

In a another statement, Cubbon Reads alleged that the curators were detained for two hours and had to contact senior officials to leave along with the confiscated books. The group claimed they were also required to write an apology letter. They accused Cubbon Park authorities of threatening their curators’ careers and demeaning those who did not speak Kannada. Additionally, the group was allegedly threatened with an FIR and a fine of Rs 35,000.

One of the event curators told DH that they were asked to unwrap a book, as the authorities suspected it contained unlawful things. The curator suggested that the issue seemed to stem from a broader discomfort with young people, rather than the event itself.

Another curator claimed that the authorities’ tone and behaviour changed after a lawyer intervened and contacted a top-level officer. The confiscated books were eventually returned.

Former Karnataka Minister and BJP MLC CT Ravi

Chikkamagaluru: Former Karnataka Minister and BJP MLC CT Ravi has accused the state Congress government of selective justice and threatened to launch a “Belagavi Chalo” movement if no action is taken against those who allegedly attempted to assassinate him.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Ravi alleged that the state government, led by Congress, operates on the “Hammurabi doctrine” rather than adhering to the Constitution. He criticized the swift police response to a complaint filed against him by Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar while claiming inaction on his own complaint regarding an alleged assassination attempt.

“Does the CM believe I don’t have the right to seek justice under the law? Should I also send goons to get justice?” Ravi questioned. He demanded a judicial investigation into the incident to uncover the truth.

Ravi alleged that he was detained and taken to “mysterious places” by Karnataka State Police, who acted on instructions from undisclosed sources. “I told them to record the calls they received during this operation,” he added.

He stated his intent to pursue legal recourse, file complaints with the Human Rights Commission, and ensure those involved in the alleged murder attempt are held accountable. “An FIR has not been filed yet on my complaint. If action isn’t taken, we will launch the Belagavi Chalo movement,” Ravi warned.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H D Kumaraswamy

Mandya (Karnataka): 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 Kumaraswamy.

Responding to MLA Dinesh Gooligowda’s request to establish an IIT near KRS in Mandya, the Minister assured that the proposal would be examined thoroughly. “I will discuss this matter with the relevant Union Ministers. Karnataka already has one IIT, and I strongly believe we need another. Let us all work together to bring another IIT to our state, and I seek everyone’s support for this,” he added.

The Minister emphasised his deep connection with Mandya, calling it a land of Kannadigas, and expressed his happiness in participating in the conference. “I am here not just as a Union Minister but as a proud Kannadiga,” he said.

Kumaraswamy addressed the concerns raised by the conference’s president, Go Ru Channabasappa, about promoting Kannada and implementing bilingual education policies over trilingual ones. He acknowledged the challenges faced by rural parents in balancing the preservation of Kannada with their children’s future aspirations in a competitive global environment. “This is a complex issue, and we must collectively find solutions to address the anxieties of parents,” he said.

The Minister also expressed his concern over the declining interest in Kannada-medium education due to societal pressures and the competitive mindset of rural parents. Reflecting on his tenure as Chief Minister, he said, “When I served as Chief Minister, I initiated the establishment of 1,000 public schools to equip rural children to compete with their urban counterparts while emphasising Kannada in education.”

Sharing his passion for literature, Kumaraswamy said, “I was deeply moved after reading the epic novel ‘Durgastamana’ by Ta Ra Subba Rao. “It’s a masterpiece that vividly narrates the end of Madakari Nayaka, evoking emotions that can move even the most unyielding souls.”

He also expressed admiration for the works of Vyasaray Ballal, including novels like ‘Channabhairadevi’ by Gajanana Sharma, ‘Swapna Saraswata’ by Gopalakrishna Pai, and ‘Swatantryada Ota’ by Bolwar Mohammed Kunhi, which have inspired him deeply.

Reflecting on the evolution of Kannada cinema, Kumaraswamy said, “As someone from the Kannada film industry, I have noticed a stark difference between the stories of the past and the present. It saddens me to see some films failing to address societal concerns. We need more films with good values, meaningful stories, and a positive impact on society.”

He reminisced about legendary songs like Dr Rajkumar’s ‘Haalina Holeyo… Jenina Maleyo’, which has left a lasting impression on him. He called for films that preserve the essence of relationships, foster peace, and revive the cultural harmony of rural Karnataka. “We need to bring back the days when communities dined together and celebrated unity,” he said.

Wishing a long life to conference president Go Ru Channabasappa, Kumaraswamy said, “May he live beyond 100 years, as foretold by astrologers. He is like a father figure to me, and his life continues to inspire us all. Let us hope his wisdom and guidance remain with us for many more years.”

The Minister concluded his address with a heartfelt appeal to preserve the Kannada language, culture, and unity, reiterating his commitment to Karnataka’s development and welfare.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah | Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed an open letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing strong disapproval of Shah’s recent remarks about Dr B.R. Ambedkar during a Lok Sabha session on December 18, 2024. Siddaramaiah accused Shah of trivialising Ambedkar’s legacy by referring to it as an “addiction.”

In the letter, Siddaramaiah lauded Ambedkar’s contributions, stating, “Ambedkar is not an addiction; he is a daily remembrance and an eternal inspiration.” He criticised Shah for disrespecting Ambedkar’s memory in a Parliament functioning under the Constitution authored by him. Siddaramaiah urged Shah to refrain from offering clarifications or claiming misrepresentation, challenging him instead to stand by his words.

Highlighting Ambedkar’s role in shaping modern India, Siddaramaiah credited the Constitution for enabling social equality and empowering leaders from marginalised communities. “Without Ambedkar, I would not have become the Chief Minister. Leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, who reached the pinnacle of Indian politics, would have been confined to labour in factories,” he said.

Siddaramaiah also criticised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for its historical opposition to the Constitution, citing remarks by its leaders such as Hedgewar and Golwalkar. He argued that Shah’s comments reflected the BJP and RSS’s longstanding disregard for Ambedkar’s ideals.

The letter further took a dig at the BJP’s obsession with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, labelling it an “addiction,” and questioned the party’s moral compass. “If the RSS cadre chanted God’s name as often as they chant Modi’s, they might earn salvation for their misdeeds in power,” Siddaramaiah remarked.

Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Sunday strongly dismissed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and ruling Congress leaders’ charges that he attempted to bribe former state Minority Commission Chairperson Anwar Manippady to hush up his report on the Waqf encroachments.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a statement on Saturday said that Manippady had publicly stated that Vijayendra visited his house during Yediyurappa’s tenure as CM and offered Rs 150 crore to be silent about the Waqf property encroachment report.

Meanwhile, Manippady has denied that no such offer was made to him by Vijayendra while Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that there was video footage showing Manippady making such charge.

Questioning whether there was any logic in the allegation, Vijayendra said, the Congress and Siddaramaiah seem to be “perturbed” by the allegations of corruption and scam against them, especially by the MUDA site allotment case against the CM.

“This is a shameless government, its leaders, ministers, and legislators, I have seen their statements, they seem to have lost their mind. When B S Yediyurappa was CM and BJP government was in power Anwar Manippady had submitted a report on Waqf regarding irregularities committed during the previous Congress government and its leaders,” Vijayendra said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, “As the then Chief Minister’s son, why should I go to Anwar Manippady’s house and offer Rs 150 crore? That too to save Congress leaders? Is there any logic in this (allegation)?”

The state BJP chief said if the Congress wants to use this issue to waste the time of the legislature during the ongoing session, it is nothing but the “height of stupidity”. The government which is in the midst of corruption allegations and scams is trying to waste time, he further alleged.

“I have not seen Anwar Manippady’s statement. Is there any meaning in the allegations (made by CM and Congress leaders)? What Priyank Kharge has said is meaningless, if the CM is speaking using what he (Kharge) has said, I don’t know what to say. It seems to be true that CM is perturbed,” he said.

Stating that he will respond to the allegations if raised in the Assembly, Vijayendra said, “by creating imaginary things, if they feel that they can make opposition and Vijayendra succumb to it, we are ready to take it as a challenge and respond to it.”

Demanding a CBI probe, the CM in his statement on Saturday said that Manippady has further stated that he sent Vijayendra out of his house when he offered money, and reported the incident to PM Narendra Modi and the BJP President.

Manippady, as the chairman of the Karnataka State Minority Commission, had prepared the report, submitted it to the then BJP government in March 2012. It was tabled in the legislature in 2020, when BJP was again in power.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Mangaluru Manippady said, Vijayendra did not come to his house and no such offer was made to him.

“Vijayendra was not in the scene when the report was submitted. I didn’t even know him then and had only heard his name. I only spoke to him and expressed displeasure about the delay in tabling of report when Vijayendra was party Vice President, and Yediyurappa was CM once again. There was no Rs 150 crore offer,” he said.

Reacting to this, Home Minister G Parameshwara said, there is a video footage of Manippady accusing Vijayendra and the media had covered it then.

“If he is changing his words now, don’t know how to take it. He himself had made such claims. Let’s see, the issue may be raised in the Assembly tomorrow,” he said.

Alleging that the Congress government was wasting time during the ongoing legislature session in Belagavi, Vijayendra said, the administration, including the Chief Minister, is not ready to discuss issues concerning the state, especially from the north Karnataka region, and also on recent maternal deaths at government hospitals.

At a time when the High Court is hearing whether the MUDA case against the Chief Minister should be handed over to CBI for probe, and ED is also investigating the case, the CM seems to be anxious, he said.

Noting that there are media reports that the ruling Congress wants to discuss cases of alleged rape and charges of using casteist slurs made against BJP MLA N Munirathna, cases against former CM B S Yediyurappa and the COVID scam, during the session from tomorrow, Vijayendra said, the government is clearly misleading the House.

“The government is not concerned about the development of the state, it is trying to escape from the issues,” he said, as he hit out at CM Siddarmaiah and Home Minister Parameshwara for not expressing at least regret over last Tuesday’s lathi charge against Panchamasali Lingayat protesters, who were demanding for higher reservation.

“The intoxication of power has reached its height, the state government seems to be in an illusion that the power is permanent, hence the CM and the government are behaving arrogantly. This is not right,” he said.

The BJP will not run away fearing the politically motivated probes against its leaders, he added. “We will face everything with courage,” he further said, alleging that the government of behaving “irresponsibly”. He called it as an “unpardonable offense”.

Hassan (Karnataka), Dec 5: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said he will stand by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah like a “rock”, until death.

He said this at the ‘Jana Kalyana Samavesha’, a convention jointly organised by the state Congress and Swabhimanigala Okkuta (federation organisations of oppressed communities).

“Don’t worry, in Mysuru I have said that this bande (rock) — D K Shivakumar — will be with Siddaramaiah. This Shivakumar will be with him, now, tomorrow, and until death. Keep this in mind. This is the history of this Kanakapura bande,” Shivakumar, who is often referred to as “Kanakapura bande” by local media and supporters, said.

Shivakumar represents Kanakapura assembly segment.

Addressing the convention, he said, “It is my duty and Dharma to work honestly, wherever I work.”

“….no need to worry. We are working for the poor honestly…unitedly all our Ministers in the cabinet and legislators will work under his (CM) leadership to serve the state and its people….”

The convention was initially planned by the federation of organisations of oppressed communities as a Siddaramaiah-centric mega “show of strength” event, in solidarity with the Chief Minister, who is facing allegations in the MUDA site allotment scam.

However, the Congress party’s involvement as the joint host of the event was confirmed by the Chief Minister himself last week, amid reports that a section of leaders within the party were against such an event being organised outside the party framework. An anonymous “complaint letter” purportedly written by a Congress leader to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge had also surfaced.

The state Congress led by its President Shivakumar had also renamed the convention as ‘Jana Kalyana Samavesha’ from ‘Siddaramaiah Swabhimaani Janandolana Samavesha’.

Interestingly, Shivakumar’s statement came a day after Siddaramaiah rejected his claim that they have a power-sharing pact.

Shivakumar had reportedly told media recently that there was an agreement between them, before coming to power.

In response, Siddaramaiah had on Wednesday said there was no such pact, and that he would abide by the high command’s decision.

There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister’s post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May last year, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the deputy chief minister.

There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a “rotational chief minister formula,” according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.

Shivakumar has made no secret of his ambition to become CM.

Addressing the convention, Shivakumar claimed that the Congress’ five guarantee schemes are “permanent”, and it was certain that the party would come to power in 2028. “No one can change this.”

He also expressed confidence about Congress winning all seven assembly segments in the Hassan district in the next polls. The party currently represents only one seat in the district. “We need your cooperation for it.”

Pointing to BJP and JD(S)’ defeat in recent by-polls to Shiggaon, Sandur and Channapatna Assembly segments, the Deputy CM said, JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda and his son and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy during campaigning had claimed that they will “root out” the Congress government.

“Mr Deve Gowda, this isn’t a potato crop grown in Hassan or a groundnut plant to root out. This is a government which has the support of 138 MLAs, it has public support….” he said.

Karnataka Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre

Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre directed forest officials on Thursday to study the effectiveness of the methods followed by Tamil Nadu in controlling man-animal conflicts.

Noting that Karnataka’s elephant population alone stood at 5,395, not to mention bison and wild boars, the minister urged the officials to come up with an alternative plan to prevent damage to life and crops.

Kodagu, Hassan, Sakleshpura, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Bengaluru Rural and Ramanagara are the worst affected districts in Karnataka due to man-animal conflicts.

According to him, at present Karnataka is spending Rs 1.5 crore per kilometre for barricading the villages adjoining forested areas with used railway fences.

Karnataka has so far barricaded 312 km using these old fences.

“But Tamil Nadu is using steel ropes that only cost Rs 45 lakh per kilometre. We should see if the steel ropes can withstand the elephants and other wild animals’ trespassing,” the minister told the officials.

He instructed them to submit the report within 10 days.

The minister also asked officials to submit a comparative report on the loss of life and crop damage before and after the installation of the old railway fences.

A note in this regard has been sent to all Additional Chief Secretaries as well, said a press release from the office of Minister Khandre.