"...undeclared emergency in Karnataka": Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje attacks Cong govt.
Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Thursday alleged that there seems to be an "undeclared emergency" in Karnataka, and likened Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to Hitler, as she hit out at the Congress government for filing cases against her and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka.
She said that neither she nor her party workers and leaders will be cowed down by such cases and threats and that they will continue to fight the government's alleged "appeasement politics."
FIRs have been registered against Karandlaje and Ashoka on the charges of allegedly sharing "false information" on social media in connection with the recent violence at Nagamangala town in Mandya district.
"There is a kind of undeclared emergency in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah has become Hitler after becoming the Chief Minister. FIRs are being registered against BJP parliamentarians and legislators continuously. For the first time in the history of the state, FIRs have been registered against the Leader of Opposition and a Central minister, also against Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya," Karandlaje said.
Addressing a press conference here, the Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment said FIRs have been also registered against BJP legislators like Harish Poonja, Basangouda Patil Yatnal, Arvind Bellad and Bharath Shetty, and "in this way the Congress is trying to suppress BJP and its leaders."
"I want to ask Siddaramaiah regarding -- Ivan D'Souza (Congress leader) had threatened the Governor with Bangladesh-like consequence, our Mangaluru workers are everyday going to police station, giving complaint, but still it has not been taken up, till today no FIR has been registered against him," she said.
Further pointing out that no case has been registered against Yadgir Congress MLA Channareddy Tunnur and his son in a case linked to the death of Police Sub-Inspector Parashuram, and Special Investigation Team probe report has not mentioned the name of former Minister B Nagendra in the multi-crore Valmiki ST Development Corporation scam, Karandlaje asked: "what are you trying to turn Karnataka into?"
Questioning as to what was the mistake on her part or Ashoka and for what crime FIRs were registered against them, she said it looks like questioning the government was their crime. "To appease minorities, you (govt) are murdering democracy....a government that should function in accordance with the Constitution is not there in Karnataka," she alleged.
Alleging that "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans were raised in CM's home district of Mysuru during Eid-e-Milad procession on Monday, she said, "because of the Congress government's lenient stand, and its appeasement politics, you are making Karnataka's majority Hindus a scapegoat."
Alleging that BJP and Hindu activists are being threatened by filing cases, Karandlaje said: "This is Siddaramaiah's administration. I urge you to leave this mindset. We will not be cowed down by such threats, file hundred FIRs if you want, we won't fear and will continue to fight....people will teach you a lesson."
Citing the violence in Nagamangala during a Ganesh idol procession, she sought to know as to who are those behind the violence and torching shops and vehicles.
"As per reports people had come from Kerala, who are they, how and why did they come? You (govt) have tried to shut Nagamangala violence case. Your police are trying to close the case as though it was a non-incident. (G) Parameshwara (Home Minister) says it was a minor incident..." she alleged, as she questioned as to why the CM or Home Minister did not visit Nagamangala.
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India, Jamaica agree to boost trade, skilled mobility: Jaishankar
Kingston (PTI): India and Jamaica agreed to further strengthen trade linkages and explore cooperation for recruitment and mobility of skilled professionals, including healthcare workers and teachers, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.
Addressing a joint press conference here after talks with his Jamaican counterpart Kamina J Smith on Monday, Jaishankar said the discussions were comprehensive, and they reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties, identifying new avenues to deepen the partnership.
"We signed several important agreements and discussed effective implementations of MOUs which have been recently concluded in the fields of digital transformation, cultural exchange, sports and digital payments to ensure tangible outcomes on the ground," he said.
India recognised Jamaica's growing role as a logistics hub and gateway to the Caribbean for trade and investment, Jaishankar said.
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"We agreed to further strengthen trade, business and investment linkages, explore cooperation for recruitment and mobility of skilled professionals, including nurses, healthcare workers and teachers," he said.
The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in defence and security, healthcare, digitisation, agriculture, education and infrastructure, the minister said.
Highlighting development cooperation as a key pillar of ties, Jaishankar noted the successful completion of the Improving Rural Livelihoods Project in Kitson Town in March 2026, implemented with Indian assistance of USD 1 million under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, benefiting over 200 individuals and impacting thousands more.
He said India is also discussing the feasibility of establishing an artisan empowerment hub in Jamaica and reiterated support for the country's recovery following Hurricane Melissa.
As part of humanitarian assistance, India has supplied relief material, deployed a medical team and is in the process of providing 30 dialysis units. It is also sending 40 fishing boats and 200 GPS units to aid recovery efforts.
The ministers reaffirmed close cooperation in multilateral fora and discussed issues such as reformed multilateralism, climate justice and priorities of the Global South.
India appreciated Jamaica’s support for its candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2028-29.
Both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and called for early finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
Jaishankar also highlighted growing people-to-people ties, noting the popularity of yoga and Ayurveda in Jamaica and the contribution of the Indian diaspora to the country’s development.
He announced a contribution of two million Jamaican dollars towards celebrations marking 181 years of the arrival of Indians in Jamaica on India Heritage Day.
According to the website of the High Commission of India in Kingston, Jamaica has an Indian diaspora of around 70,000 people whose forefathers came mostly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as indentured labour between 1845 and 1917. Some also came from South India.
The diaspora constitutes around 3 per cent of Jamaica's population and continues to nurture an abiding interest in Indian culture, music, dance and history, serving as a cultural bridge between the two countries. May 10 is observed as India Heritage Day in Jamaica.
Later in the day, Jaishankar interacted with Jamaica’s industry and business leaders, underlining the need to deepen economic engagement as countries diversify partnerships globally.
“Emphasised that as we all diversify and seek reliable partners, the imperative to deepen India-Jamaica business ties is that much stronger,” he said in a social media post, noting that the potential for bilateral and regional economic cooperation should be "explored more vigorously".
He also appreciated Industry Minister Aubyn Hill for convening the interaction with business leaders.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
