Rahul Gandhi is currently in the United States of America and preaching to India about respecting everyone and treating all citizens, including their different languages, equally. He even blamed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the orchestrated conflict between non-Hindi vs. the Hindi language. He alleged that the organisation views India as a nation, while he boasted that his party, on the contrary, considers India a “union of states.” Interestingly, even as he advocates the value of respecting all languages, his party has been actively promoting the divisive agenda he repeatedly claims to detest.
The amount of linguistic chauvinism that senior Congress leaders including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah displayed publically manifested itself violently last year as goons wreaked havoc on the streets and targeted businesses because their signboards either did not use the required percentage of Kannada language or the words were not highlighted boldly. Notably, the attack transpired a few months after Siddaramaiah declared, “We are all Kannadigas, people speaking different languages have settled in Kannada land since the unification of Karnataka. Everyone living in Karnataka should learn to speak Kannada. Instead of Kannadigas teaching our language to others, we are learning their language first. In some parts of the state, the diaspora does not speak Kannada at all. This is happening because of the generosity of the Kannadigas.”
Incentivising criminal behaviour for ‘Kannada pride’
Owing to political support, the polarizing sentiments have grown more intense and have now resulted in defending the public assault against individuals including women. In the latest instance, a Bengaluru auto driver named Muthuraj who was arrested on the evening of 5th September for abusing and slapping a woman passenger for making him wait and then cancel the ride due to a change in plans is gaining sympathy from a section of people.
#WATCH – Bengaluru Auto Driver Allegedly Slaps Woman After She Cancels Auto Ride.#Viral #ViralVideo #Bengaluru #AutoDriver pic.twitter.com/pNyhpiBd3i
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) September 5, 2024
A user named Mohan Dasari posted that the accused does not deserve to bear the financial penalty and inquired as to whether any attorneys would be willing to take up his case. He claimed that the driver’s “frustration” made him react angrily and even offered Rs 1,000 as a contribution to cover the Rs 30,000 fine.
I know it’s a frustration which made him to react like that so 4 days in jail. For his helplessness of losing his earning with that duty shouldn’t be as costly as 30,000 legal cost. Any lawyer who wants to help R Muthuraj for bail?I will donate from my side ₹1000 & others too. pic.twitter.com/NmAMTIjN3E
— ಮೋಹನ್ ದಾಸರಿ – Mohan Dasari (@MohanDasari_) September 8, 2024
Another netizen evoked Kannada pride to gather support for the auto-driver and also donated Rs 1,000 for the latter’s legal fees. The person, however, added, “He deserved 4 days in jail for his behaviour but should not cost 30K in high inflation period.”
Let us know if Kannadigas can raise 30k for the auto driver. I would like to contribute 1k as well.
— anant mahajan | ಅನಂತ ಮಹಾಜನ (@anantmahajan1) September 8, 2024
He deserved 4 days in jail for his behavior but should not cost 30k in high inflation period.@rajanna_rupesh @ajavgal @karave_KRV @Kanagalogy https://t.co/HKeN7k5QO1
An individual took a jibe at the female victim and claimed those who depend on their daily paychecks understand the worth of money more than “mall hopping passengers.” The person also pledged to give Rs 1,000 and demanded justice for him rather than the woman he insulted and assaulted.
Sir,
— Vishvas X (ನನ್ನ ಸಣ್ಣ ಪರಿವಾರ)👍 (@vishwas_rakho) September 8, 2024
I agree with you and I will contribute Rs.1000/- for the genuine cause. But, some one has to see that the Auto Driver gets justice.
People who live on daily earnings know the value of money better than Mall hopping passengers. https://t.co/BiKHZedPyI
However, a lot of internet users also questioned how someone who was found to be abusing women could receive financial aid, pointing out the blatant hypocrisy. “So Kannada warriors are crowdfunding for a criminal who assaulted a young student,” asked a person and added that it is concerning when criminal acts are justified in the name of regional pride.
So Kannada warriors are crowdfunding for a criminal who assaulted a young student? Using regional pride to justify such criminal acts is troubling!
— Sid (@CloudWhiz90) September 8, 2024
Another user questioned as to whether the people would have continued to donate the funds had the victim instead been their daughter, wife, or mother.
Imagine for a moment
— 𝑴𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒎𝒃𝒐 (@Mogemmbo) September 8, 2024
He slapped your daughter
He slapped your Wife
He slapped your Mother
Now how money you are donating ❓
A person asked if customers should also start beating their cab or auto drivers if they cancel the riders. “Are you justifying a man hitting and assaulting a woman? He deserves more punishment than this,” she asserted.
Many times many drivers cancel on me in India. Do u suggest i beat them up for merely cancelling my ride?
— SagasofBharat (@SagasofBharat) September 9, 2024
Are u justifying a man hitting n assaulting a woman? He deserves more punishment than this.
‘You are outsiders: Speak Kannada or don’t come to Bengaluru’
The regional bigotry fostered by Congress for petty political advantage has gradually transmogrified itself into a monstrous beast as Indians from other states are already declared “outsiders” in their own country if they don’t speak the local language. A social media user who claims to live in “Karnataka Nation” announced that people who don’t speak Kannada will be treated as outsiders there because the region belongs to Kannadigas only. “Write it down, share it around. We aren’t joking,” he warned in the viral post which garnered nearly six million views to imply that no one should feel offended or victimised when exposed to regional prejudice and discrimination in Bengaluru for not being a local.
To,
— ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ತನಯ (@ManjuKBye) September 6, 2024
Everyone Coming to Bengaluru
You will be treated as OUTSIDERS in Bengaluru if you don't speak Kannada or make an effort to speak Kannada.
Write it down, Share it around. We ain't Joking.
BENGALURU BELONGS TO KANNADIGAS PERIOD.
Another regional warrior uploaded a video of a German woman speaking Kannada and asked, “If Germans can why can’t Indians learn and speak Kannada with Kannadigas?”
German Citizen Jenifer currently staying in Karnataka learns Kannada and tries to converse in Kannada with locals.
— 👑Che_ಕೃಷ್ಣ🇮🇳💛❤️ (@ChekrishnaCk) September 9, 2024
Look at the appreciation she gets for speaking in Kannada.
If Germans can why can't Indians learn and speak Kannada with Kannadigas? #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/SCziGxVwiX
The person posted another video calling the non-locals refugees because “they don’t learn Kannada” and parroted the same sentiment as he directed people to learn the language if they want to come to Karnataka and live there.
Message to all Non Kannadigas #Kannada #Bengaluru #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/83aH3URr0N
— 👑Che_ಕೃಷ್ಣ🇮🇳💛❤️ (@ChekrishnaCk) September 9, 2024
It appears that even some doctors have jumped on the “speak Kannada or leave bandwagon” according to another post which stated, “Doctors started writing their prescriptions in Kannada.” The individual remarked that the move was in response to a decree by bodies including the Kannada Development Authority which ordered doctors to write in “people’s language.”
In Karnataka, Doctors started writing their prescriptions in Kannada. Doctors have responded to the call by people & institutions like @kdabengaluru, to fulfill this basic need to write in people's language.
— ಉಮೇಶ್ ಶಿವರಾಜು |Umesh Shivaraju (@umesh_anush) September 9, 2024
Have a look. 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/Q4x8RteIoz
Kannada Development Authority Chairman Purushottama Bilimale recently directed doctors to write prescriptions in Kannada in the state.
ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಇನ್ಮುಂದೆ ವೈದ್ಯರು ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಔಷಧಿ ಚೀಟಿಯನ್ನು ಬರೆಯಲು ಆದೇಶ ನೀಡಲಾಗುವುದು ಎಂದು ಕನ್ನಡ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಪ್ರಾಧಿಕಾರದ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಪುರುಷೋತ್ತಮ ಬಿಳಿಮಲೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದ ಬೆನ್ನಲ್ಲೆ
— ಕನ್ನಡ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಪ್ರಾಧಿಕಾರ (@kdabengaluru) September 9, 2024
Now, does this imply that someone who doesn’t speak the language must ask that the prescription be written in Hindi, or will their request be turned down? Can a doctor, one of the most honourable professions in charge of saving lives, afford to take part in such antics?
Urdu is acceptable, Hindi is not
Notably, Purushottama Bilimale, a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the matter of teaching Kannada in Urdu-medium schools and madrassas be put on hold as the minority community is opposing it, in July.
The Congress leadership recognizes and knows when to yield and where to assert its authority in relation to issues of regional and linguistic pride as appeasement of the vote bank always reigns supreme. Urdu and English, two more non-local languages, are prominently exhibited while Hindi is gradually being removed from public signs and boards including official buildings in the state to further stoke the flames.
Who are we?
— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) September 9, 2024
We are the Karnataka Congress
What do we want?
Votes in the name of Kannada Pride
How do we do it?
By Abusing the Hindi language, Removing Hindi Posters & nameplates
What do we do after that?
Replace Hindi with Urdu as the third language pic.twitter.com/UGKNWZA03n
While the thugs are storming the streets and attacking everything they perceive to be adverse to their language pride, the Congress leaders have been attending conferences like “Hindi takeover conspiracy” in an attempt to breed more division among the populace.
Meanwhile, the politicians in Karnataka are busy holding emergency meetings. Their agenda? "Hindi takeover conspiracy." One guy suggests they start a Kannada-only tech platform. "Let’s call it 'Kannoogle!'" he declares proudly. But then someone in the back mutters, "But sir, how… pic.twitter.com/eVbif9WzhS
— Shailendra.T (@KonnectoShail) September 7, 2024
Playing regional and language politics as government coffers run dry, the state faces a severe water and pothole crisis
The finance advisor to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Basavaraj Rayareddy in July exposed how guarantee schemes have left the state’s coffers empty and prevented funding for development projects. The problem occurred when huge sums of money had to be set aside for the freebies offered by Congress. “Many MLAs are demanding funds for development works in their constituencies, however, there is no money with the government. We are spending approximately Rs 65,000 crore on guarantee schemes. Since I am the financial advisor, I somehow managed to get the grant for a lake development project,” he expressed at an event.
He further pointed out, “People want development. But believe me, there is absolutely no money. Since I am the financial advisor, I managed to get funds for the lake development project here.” Notably, in June, the Karnataka government hired Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as a consultant to cater to mounting pressure to carry out the five promises, which caused a rift within the party. The BCG was tasked to come up with strategies to boost revenue and plug leakages in revenue collections as five guarantees, promised by the Congress during assembly elections, cost the exchequer Rs 36,000 crore in 2023-24.
“If one wins elections by outsourcing core political functions to external fee-charging transactional consultants, then one also governs by outsourcing core policy functions to similar consultants,” wrote Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty on social media which led to backlash from his own party members. Afterwards, he claimed that the remark was his “personal opinion.”
The government raised petrol and diesel prices and even hinted at hiking water tariffs in Bengaluru, in June. “We are suffering huge losses. We’ve taken up new projects, and no bank is coming forward to finance the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB),” Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced. In August, he reiterated that the increase is inevitable. Last year, he revealed that the government did not have funds for the development.
While the government is fighting a losing battle in the economy, the state encountered a serious water shortage over the sweltering summer. “India’s Silicon Valley” had to endure a severe water shortage pointing at the lack of management and negligence at the administration’s end as borewells across the city including the one owned by DK Shivakumar dried up due to low rainfall and forcing residents including Siddaramaiah to rely on water tankers.
Residents had to pay escalating water tanker costs as in certain areas of Bengaluru, with merchants selling water tanks demanded as much as Rs 2,000 for a 12,000-liter tanker. People who possessed upscale apartments in Bengaluru had to use mall washrooms as schools and offices ran in the virtual world, due to the crisis. The government had to impose stringent limitations on the amount of water that can be used in the home for non-drinking p.
The Congress government’s mismanagement appears to be endless as the state’s roadways have been found to be littered with potholes. However, now the government has given a fifteen-day deadline to fill the potholes to civic officials or face consequences, after multiple complaints and criticism. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath mentioned that as of September 9th, there were around 280 potholes on main highways and 1,663 on ward-level roads that needed to be filled. He unveiled that complaints were made by the public through the ‘Raste Gundi Gamana’ mobile app and there are more potholes in the city besides these.
According to Zonal Commissioner (east) Snehal R, although the BBMP is always patching potholes, residents are complaining about the poor quality of the work. She added that since April 2024, there have been 537 complaints regarding main highways and 494 complaints regarding ward roads in the east zone.
Conclusion
Instead of executing its mandate, the Congress party has been propelling the fires of regional and linguistic hatred while the state has been beset by a plethora of issues. The party recommended providing Kannadigas with a 100% reservation in Category C and D positions across all state-wide private sectors. Top industry leaders and state government officials, meanwhile, fiercely opposed the proposal after which Siddaramaih also removed his post. Notably, one of the proposed measures aimed to give native Kannadigas preference for 50% of management positions and 75% of non-management positions in the private sector.
The deplorable condition of affairs in Karnataka is a testament to how the party has been abdicating its responsibilities to score brownie political points, leaving the people to deal with several problems on a daily basis. The party and its leading figures including Rahul Gandhi have blatantly shown themselves to be hypocritical as they do exactly the contrary of what they preach about equal respect and opportunity for all people regardless of their religion, region, language, caste and other differences.
Bengaluru, which was regarded as India’s IT hub and a dream destination for many people has grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently as a result of such a problematic narrative. The dirty politics of Congress have allowed the nefarious elements of society to execute their plans and further pollute the atmosphere which has created a perilous situation for many Hindi-speaking individuals in the state and put their safety as well as livelihoods at risk.
