bangalore news times

Bengaluru: As the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya is coming closer, Karnataka police department has taken up cases for investigation against Ram Mandir activists who allegedly indulged in destruction of property and other cases three decades ago at the height of the movement for Ram Mandir, according to sources. Sources further explained that the police department had formed a special team and prepared a list of accused persons who were involved in police cases during the 1992 Ram Mandir movement which resulted in violence and communal clashes. Hubballi police arrested Srikanth Poojari in connection with an alleged case of torching a shop owned by a minority on December 5, 1992, in Hubballi. Poojari is the third accused in the case and the police are looking out for other eight accused in connection with the case. Poojari had been sent to judicial custody. Also Read Kerala: CPI(M), Congress spar over attendance at Ram mandir event in Ayodhya Likewise, Hubballi police prepa

Bengaluru: Bengaluru Special Courts for People’s Representatives has issued an order convicting Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa in connection with a cheque bounce case from 2011 and imposing a Rs 6.96 crore fine. The court has said that in case of non-payment of the fine, Minister Madhu Bangarappa will have to undergo six months of simple imprisonment. The order was given on Friday. Also Read 9-year-old girl found dead in Bengaluru apartment pool Following the development, the BJP has demanded his resignation. BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra said that the Minister of the Congress government has been declared the offender in the cheque bounce case. “It’s a black mark on the dignity of the government and the sanctity of education. Bangarappa should tender his resignation, taking moral responsibility. Otherwise, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should seek his resignation,” he said. He said that if the Congress government is arrogant and hesitates in this matter,

Bengaluru: Union Minister for Coal, Mine and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi on Friday criticised the Congress-led Karnataka government over the arrest of Kannada activists in connection with the vandalism and tearing down of English signboards. “The Congress government that vouches for withdrawal of cases related to DJ Halli and KG Halli communal violence has sent Kannada activists to jail. This action of the government is not tenable,” he told reporters. Also Read Pained over Kannada activists’ arrest: Karnataka ex-CM Bommai “The Kannada activists’ protest is rightful. The state government had clamped all sections on Kannada activists so that they never dare to stage a protest. The rioters in KG Halli violence were all set to kill policemen. The charge sheet mentions this. The state government should set aside its dual agenda and release Kannada activists,” he added. At least 53 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the violence and vandalism during

Bengaluru: A nine-year-old girl who went out of her Bengaluru flat to play was found dead in the swimming pool located in the premises, police said. The incident took place on December 28 at the apartment complex in Varthur. The deceased, identified as Manya, had left home, telling her parents that she was going out to play. The incident had occurred at 8 p.m. and though the girl, found lying in the pool, was immediately rushed to the hospital, doctors declared her dead. Her father Rakesh alleged that his daughter had died due to electrocution as she came in contact with a live wire near the pool. The people, who observed this, tried to bring a wooden staff to help her, but she had died by that time. Parents and residents of the apartment have demanded action over the negligence and also staged a flash protest, over no action being initiated in this regard so far. The manager of the apartment has disappeared after the incident. Varthur police are investigating the case. Exact

Bengaluru: Suspended from college, a first-year hotel management student died by suicide after allegedly consuming sleeping pills here, police said on Friday. The incident occurred on Thursday at a paying guest accommodation in Chandra layout where the student was staying with his friends, they said. Also Read Five arrested for raping girl for over year in Karnataka No suicide note was recovered from the spot. But a few days after his suspension, he had penned his thoughts on a notebook in which he mentioned how he was very disturbed with what had happened in college due to an old matter and the management was not allowing him to return to his classes. “He was suspended about a month ago citing his behaviour, indiscipline and absence from college. Depressed over this, he allegedly consumed some pills on Thursday which led to his death,” a senior police officer said. Demanding strict action against the college administration, his parents along with others staged a protest out

Bengaluru: Senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said that he felt “pained” following the arrest of ‘Kannada Rakshana Vedike’ chief T.A. Narayana Gowda and others in connection with the vandalism and violence that took place here on December 27 which saw tearing down of English posters of many commercial outlets with a demand to give prominence to local language. Speaking during the inauguration programme of the renovated Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Auditorium coinciding with the birth anniversary of poet, playwright and novelist Kuvempu, the former CM said “the need of the hour was to support those activists”. Also Read Bengaluru: Pro-Kannada activists stage protest, demand release of activists Bommai said that when he was the chief minister, he had ordered withdrawal of over 2,000 cases filed against Kannada activists. “The current situation is because of not having any strict rule on Kannada on the signboards. Our (previous) government br

Bengaluru: Pro-Kannada activists staged a protest at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park, demanding the immediate release of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) activists detained by police. The protest was also attended by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers. They demanded the immediate release of KRV State President TA Narayan Gowda. Earlier in the day, some protesters were released by the Bengaluru police and were given a grand welcome by the group. AAP leader Mukhyamantri Chandru claimed that the pro-Kannada fighters did nothing wrong and only did what the government should have done at the first place. “What did pro-Kannada fighters do wrong? Robbed or murdered? Shop name boards in English and Hindi have been removed. Our pro-Kannada fighters have done what the government should have…If pro-Kannada fighters are not released, then we will teach the government a lesson in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,” Mukhyamantri Chandru said. Bengaluru Police, on Wednesday, detained KRV members, who staged

Bengaluru : Karnataka Police have arrested five persons on Friday in connection with trapping a minor girl and raping her for over one year in Kolar district of the state. Police said that the incident took place in KGF taluk near Kolar. The accused all from the same village had trapped and lured the girl and committed rape on her. The incident came to light when the parents took her for a health check-up where the doctors said that the victim is pregnant. Also Read Suspected deer meat seized, 21 arrested for hunt in Mulugu dist Police said that upon inquiries the victim opened up about the crime. Police said that the victim is being treated at the KGF hospital. The mother of the girl has lodged a complaint and the police have registered a case under the provision of Pocso Act. More details are yet to emerge regarding the incident. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram

Chikkaballapur : Parents have demanded action against a headmistress for indulging in a romantic photo shoot with a student during a tour, following the video of the photo shoot going viral on social media on Thursday. In the photos, the student and headmistress are seen posing in various objectionable ways. The student is seen kissing her on the cheeks and pulling her saree. The student is also seen lifting the teacher in his arms. The headmistress is also seen hugging and behaving romantically with the student in the video. After the video of the photo shoot went viral, people and parents expressed outrage and slammed the teacher for engaging in such inappropriate behaviour. Also Read Karnataka deputy CM Shivakumar reacts to vandalism by Kannada activists The incident took place when students from a government school in a village from Chintamani taluk in Chikkaballapur district were on a trip. The parents have urged action against the headmistress and they also went to the

Bengaluru : Reacting to the vandalism and destruction unleashed by activists in Bengaluru demanding prominence for Kannada language in signages, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated on Thursday that, “We will not allow anyone to take the law into their hands. This is about the honour and respect of the Karnataka state.” Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar stated, “We, as the government, will issue notices and implement the rule to give prominence to Kannada language. That does not mean anyone can indulge in vandalism and destruction.” The Karnataka Government had passed an order and set the deadline of February 28 for giving prominence to Kannada language in sign boards. “In a democracy, anyone can protest, but we can’t tolerate it if the law is broken. I am disturbed by the vandalism and destruction. They can raise slogans, place demands to implement the Government order of giving 60 per cent of space on signboards to the Kannada language,” he said. “As activists, t

New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday chaired a meeting with the party leaders of Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh to discuss the 2024 Lok Sabha poll preparations. Kharge expressed confidence that the ground situation had changed in Andhra Pradesh after the party’s victories in the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Telangana. Also Read LS polls: Kharge, Rahul hold meet with Andhra Congress leaders “Everyone believes that the ground situation has drastically changed after government formation in Karnataka and Telangana,” Kharge said in a post on X, after presiding over two separate meetings held to discuss the party strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. An important strategy meeting of @INC_Andhra leaders reflected on the ways to strengthen the party in the state for the Lok Sabha elections. Everyone believes that ground situation has drastically changed after government formation in

Bengaluru : After Lingayat convention, the oppressed classes and minorities have decided to hold a massive rally in Chitradurga city in Karnataka to counter the influential castes ‘pressurising’ the government not to accept the caste census report. Sources confirmed that Ahinda group of Alpsankhyak, Hindulida (backwards) and Dalit communities have decided to hold a massive rally on January 28 urging the Congress government to implement the caste census report in toto. It has been decided to invite Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the convention and also to ensure participation of all top leaders from minority communities, Scheduled Caste and Tribes and others. The convention will demand implementation of the caste census in toto and conducting of caste survey on social, educational and economic parameters by the central government. Also Read FIR filed against BJP MP Pratap Simha for calling CM Siddaramaiah ‘sluggish’ The convention will also demand cancellation of 10 per cent re

Mysuru : Karnataka Police filed an FIR against BJP MP Pratap Simha for making a derogatory remark against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday in Mysuru district. The FIR was lodged by the Devaraja Police in Mysuru city under the provisions of IPC Section 504 and 153, following a complaint by Congress workers. Simha had referred to CM Siddaramaiah as “somari Sidda” (sluggish Siddaramaiah) during a Hanuman Jayanthi programme organised in Hunsur town recently. Simha, who represents Mysuru-Kodagu constituency, further accused Siddaramaiah of spreading hatred among castes. “Mr Siddaramaiah, if you have the guts and capacity, carry out politics through development. Don’t indulge in the politics of hatred,” he had said. Also Read Karnataka hijab ban: Owaisi slams Siddaramaiah for ‘contemplating’ remark “CM Siddaramaiah is personally attacking me due to insecurity. There are 28 MPs in the state, and he chooses to target only me. I am not sitting idle like ‘somari Sidda’ (sluggish

Bengaluru: The political landscape in Karnataka is witnessing intriguing developments as speculations arise about JDS state unit president HD Kumaraswamy considering to contest in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Mandya constituency. The JDS, now part of the BJP-led NDA alliance, is actively preparing for the upcoming elections. As discussions around seat allocations unfold, it is anticipated that JDS may secure constituencies such as Hassan, Mandya, Tumkur, and Kolar. Although Kumaraswamy has publicly expressed his reluctance to contest in the Lok Sabha elections, internal discussions within the party indicate a fervent debate about his potential candidacy. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when Kumaraswamy was leading the JDS-Congress alliance government in Karnataka, debates emerged about his son, Nikhil, contesting from Mandya. Kumaraswamy had categorically stated, “Except Deve Gowda and Prajwal, no one from our family will contest.” However, as the elections approached, Ni

Bengaluru : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday launched the registration of the fifth and last poll guarantee ‘Yuva Nidhi’ here offering unemployment assistance to graduates and diploma holders. The disbursement of the scheme will start from January 12, 2024, which is the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The scheme offers monetary assistance of Rs 3,000 to the graduates and Rs 1,500 to the diploma holders who passed in the 2022-23 academic year. The money would be given to those who do not get a job even after completion of 180 days from the date of passing of the degree/diploma, officials said, adding that the candidates are required to prove domicile of Karnataka for a minimum of six years. Also Read Karnataka hijab ban: Owaisi slams Siddaramaiah for ‘contemplating’ remark The unemployment allowance would be given for a period of two years from the date of announcement of the result or till he/she becomes employed/self-employed whichever is earlier. Th

Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Agricultural Marketing Minister Shivanand Patil has kicked up a controversy with his remarks that the farmers in the state wish for drought to occur as they get farm loan waivers from the government. Speaking at an event in Chikkodi in Belgavi district, Patil reportedly said that farmers wish for a drought year after year as the government waives off their loans. The minister also said that since the farmers are getting everything for free, including water, electricity, seeds and fertilisers, they shouldn’t expect government’s help all the time. “The Krishna River water is free, current is free. Since many parts of north Karnataka are hit by drought, the Chief Minister is even giving seeds and fertilisers for free. Now the farmers are wishing for one drought after the other as their loans get waived,” said Patil. He went on to add that even if they don’t want, there will be drought every 3-4 years. Patil also said that the state is likely to be hit by drou

Hyderabad:  AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday slammed the Karnataka Government for not issuing orders lifting the hijab ban in the state even after the Congress party came to power seven months ago. Speaking to reporters here, while condemning the killing of four Indian Army personnel by Pakistani terrorists in Kashmir, the Hyderabad MP demanded the arrest of the personnel allegedly involved in the “killing” of three civilian people whose bodies were found after they were reportedly picked up for questioning. “Why has it taken them (Congress government in Karnataka) seven months and why are they going back? After addressing a public meeting, the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that they can wear whatever you want and then he tells within one hour that we are yet to take a decision. It is very unfortunate. The Muslims of Karnataka are feeling let down,” he said. The AIMIM chief wondered what is stopping the Congress Government in Karnataka from issuing such order

Hyderabad: Poor visibility at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad on Monday led to the diversion of at least a dozen flights. Officials said poor visibility due to dense fog affected the flight operations. The flights were diverted to Bengaluru, Nagpur and other airports. Flights from Muscat, Doha, Dammam and Riyadh were among the flights diverted. Flight WY235 Muscat-Hyderabad of Oman Air was diverted to Bengaluru. IndiGo’s 6E5012 Mumbai-Hyderabad diverted to Nagpur. 6E 495 Chennai-Hyderabad was also diverted to Nagpur. Also Read Delhi airport sees 8 flight diversions due to bad weather Vistara’s UK 873 flight from Mumbai was sent back to Mumbai. 6E 1318 Doha-Hyderabad flight was diverted to Nagpur. UK 897 Bengaluru-Hyderabad was diverted back to Bengaluru. Similarly, 6E 744 flight from Goa was also diverted to Bengaluru. Flight 6E 867 from Chandigarh was diverted to Vijayawada. 6E 086 from Dammam was diverted to Nagpur. 6E 484 Bengaluru-Hyderabad was dive

Bengaluru: Karnataka is all set to witness high-voltage politics in 2024 with the Congress Government attempting to consolidate its ground by implementing all five of its poll guarantees. The BJP, buoyed by its victories in three north India states and alliance with the JD(S), is talking confidently of sweeping all 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state. On the other hand, the Congress camp in Karnataka is galvanised by the victory of the party in Telangana polls despite the campaign blitzkrieg by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Karnataka Congress focussed on implementing its guarantees of free power, free 10 kg of rice, free travel for women and Rs 2,000 allowance for women who are heads of the family. Now, the Congress Government is all set to implement the fifth and last guarantee i.e. allowance for fresh graduates and diploma holders. The coming together of the BJP and the JD(S) against the Congress in the state and the appointments of senior Vok

Bengaluru: As the hijab controversy flares up in Karnataka, former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai accused current CM Siddaramaiah of hiding the failures of his government as well as raising the issue for only political gains. He told reporters here on Saturday that the Hijab was not banned all over the state but not allowed where there was a dress code. Muslim women are permitted to wear the hijab everywhere. Also Read Govt only contemplating lifting ban on Hijab: Karnataka CM “When the Hijab is not banned where is the question of lifting the ban,” he questioned. “As per the comprehensive education policy, the school uniform policy came into being but it was brought into effect by the previous government. Siddaramaiah has spoken about the withdrawal of the Hijab ban order when the case was still pending in the Supreme Court. The issue has been raised only for political gains which would be condemned in the strongest words,” Bommai said. Sparking a series of discussions, Kar

Bengaluru: After the headmistress of a government school here was arrested for allegedly making the children clean toilets, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that getting toilets cleaned by students is an intolerable act “Recent reports of forcing students to clean school toilets is an extremely deplorable act and such acts are intolerable,” the Chief Minister said. Also Read https://www.siasat.com/principal-held-for-forcing-children-to-clean-toilet-in-bengaluru-school-2940008/ Laxmidevamma, headmistress at the Andrahalli Government Model Higher Primary school in Bengaluru was arrested following a complaint by the Block Education Officer at a police station. “The officials of the Department of Education have already taken immediate action against the teachers responsible for the cases that have been reported. “I have instructed the Minister of Primary Education to identify and take strict action against the perpetrators if such incidents occur in other s

Bengaluru : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah thanked Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday, December 23, for including him in the party’s manifesto committee for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. “I thank Kharge for appointing me as a member of the Congress Party’s Manifesto Drafting Committee for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,” CM Siddaramaiah stated. “Today, people across the country recognize our government’s ‘Karnataka Model’ of governance as a non-partisan benchmark. Being given the opportunity to draft the manifesto is an honor I perceive as AICC’s recognition of this ‘Karnataka Model of Governance’,” he said. Also Read Govt only contemplating lifting ban on Hijab: Karnataka CM “A party’s manifesto is not just a list of promises to the voters; it is a commitment we make to the people, and implementing it is the true essence of governance. Our previous government had implemented more than 95 percent of the promises in the manifesto, providing equal opportunity

Mysuru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday clarified that the administration was only contemplating lifting the ban on wearing hijab in educational institutions in the state and a decision will be taken after holding discussions at the government level. Addressing reporters here, he said, “We haven’t done it (revoking Hijab ban) yet. Someone asked me a question (about lifting the Hijab ban). I replied that the government is considering revoking it. Asked whether it would be done this academic year, the CM said it would be done after discussing it at the government level. The clarification comes a day after he said that there was no restriction on wearing the religious headscarf in educational institutions and observed that choice of dress and food is personal. Also Read Hijab ban lifted to appease PFI ‘goondas’: Karnataka BJP BJP slams move The Congress government has come under sharp criticism from the opposition BJP over the announcement on hijab. The saff

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Police on Saturday, December 23, arrested the headmistress of a government school here for allegedly making the children to clean toilets. Laxmidevamma, the headmistress in the Andrahalli Government Model Higher Primary school in Bengaluru. The arrest was made following the complaint by the Block Education Officer (BEO) Anjinappa in this regard with the Byadarahalli police station. The accused headmistress will be produced before the court on Saturday. As per the officials, Class 6 students were asked to clean the school toilets by using acid. The parents after coming to know about the incident staged a protest before the school. Also Read Bengaluru: Video of govt school students forced to clean toilets surfaces Lakshmidevamma was suspended by the Department of Education after the incident came to light on Friday. The Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka visited the school and slammed the Congress government over the development. He had charged that th