Did Mahesh Shetty Timarodi really say CM Siddaramaiah killed 24 people? Here’s the truth
Mangaluru: A video circulating on social media claims that Mahesh Shetty Timarodi stated Chief Minister Siddaramaiah killed 24 people. The government has announced that legal action will be taken against Timarodi without hesitation. Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar also commented on the issue. But did Timarodi actually make such a statement? What is the truth behind the viral video?
What does the viral video show?
A video has gone viral showing Mahesh Shetty Timarodi allegedly saying, “Siddaramaiah has killed 24 people. Siddaramaiah should immediately resign as Chief Minister.” Following this, there were widespread demands for action against him. Speaking on the Dharmasthala matter, DCM Shivakumar remarked, “Someone who fuels such claims has called the CM a murderer. Yet, none of you reported it.”
Debate in the Assembly
The video was also discussed in the Assembly today. Opposition leader R. Ashok raised the issue, stating, “The same person who repeatedly insults Dharmasthala is now accusing CM Siddaramaiah of 24 murders, thus insulting the Chief Minister of the state. When allegations arose against Dharmasthala, the government immediately formed an SIT. Will they do the same now when such a charge is made against the CM?” He accused the government of silence and surrender.
What is the reality?
Upon verification, it was found that the viral video was edited. The original clip shows Mahesh Shetty Timarodi referring to a past statement by BJP MLA Harish Poonja, who had accused Siddaramaiah of involvement in the killing of 24 Hindu activists. The viral video distorted Timarodi’s words to make it appear that he himself accused Siddaramaiah.
The original incident dates back to May 24, 2023, when MLA Harish Poonja in Beltangady said, “Satyanna, you sought votes for Siddaramaiah who killed 24 Hindu workers. You asked for votes for Congress that promised to ban Bajrang Dal. Today the people of Beltangady are questioning your Hindutva.” This was captured in the original video.
Following this, an FIR was registered against Poonja under IPC Sections 153, 153(A), 505(1)(B), 505(1)(C), and 505(2) for communal provocation, but the High Court granted a stay.
On May 26, 2023, Timarodi, reacting to the controversy, said, “Jail Harish Poonja, who accused Siddaramaiah of 24 murders, or else people of the state will think it is true that the CM committed the killings.” However, this video was edited and spread as if Timarodi himself had directly accused Siddaramaiah.
Journalist Naveen Soorinje said, “When Harish Poonja accused Siddaramaiah of killings, he went unpunished. Now, at least in response to the opposition’s demands, the government should probe, jail Harish Poonja, and lift the stay on the Beltangady case that alleged Siddaramaiah killed 24 Hindus.”
Interestingly, when opposition leader Ashok repeated the allegation in the Assembly, MLA Harish Poonja himself was present but did not clarify that it was his own earlier remark.
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
