Thu Nov 21 05:22:00 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka Minister Threatens Student After Questioning Kannada Proficiency
**Bengaluru, India** – Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa sparked controversy after threatening disciplinary action against a student who questioned his Kannada language skills during a virtual event. The incident occurred during the launch of a free online coaching program for competitive exam preparation.
A video circulating on social media shows the minister reacting angrily to a student’s comment questioning his Kannada fluency. Bangarappa, visibly upset, responded in Kannada, calling the remark “stupid” and ordering officials to take action against the student. He demanded that the teacher and Block Education Officer (BEO) investigate the matter seriously.
The minister’s response has drawn heavy criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Karnataka BJP’s official X account posted a cartoon satirizing the incident, highlighting the contradiction between the minister’s encouragement of bold questions and his angry reaction. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi further condemned the action on X, questioning the minister’s past admissions about his Kannada proficiency and accusing the Congress party of unfair punishment. The BJP has accused the Minister of hypocrisy, given his past statements. The incident raises concerns about freedom of speech and the handling of student feedback within the state’s education system.
First Piper 