Free for women, costlier for men: K'taka assembly LoP R. Ashoka on 15 percent bus fare hike in state
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government’s decision to implement a 15 percent hike in bus fares across all four State-run transport corporations has sparked protests from the BJP and dissatisfaction among commuters.
The move, effective on January 5, is expected to generate Rs 74.85 crore monthly and about Rs 784 crore annually.
The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly R Ashoka led the protest against the government bus fare hike at the Kempegowda Bus Stand at Majestic on Friday. He was seen giving away roses and apologising to people.
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“There was a rise in petrol and diesel prices during our government as well, but we did not raise the bus fares. A 15 percent hike is too much; how will people pay? Private taxis are cheaper than KSRTC buses,” Ashoka told reporters.
"They've made bus travel free for women, but doubled it for men. Siddaramaiah is the worst CM in the history of Karnataka,” he remarked.
Later, the agitating leaders from the saffron party were taken under preventive custody.
ಬಸ್ ಪ್ರಯಾಣ ದರ ಏರಿಸಿದ ರಾಜ್ಯ @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ನಿಲುವನ್ನು ಖಂಡಿಸಿ ಕೆಂಪೇಗೌಡ ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ (ಮೆಜೆಸ್ಟಿಕ್) ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಕರಿಗೆ ಹೂವು ನೀಡುವುದರ ಮೂಲಕ ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನೆ ನಡೆಸಲಾಯಿತು.
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) January 3, 2025
ಈ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಧಾನ ಪರಿಷತ್ ವಿಪಕ್ಷ ನಾಯಕರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ @NswamyChalavadi , ಪರಿಷತ್ ಸದಸ್ಯರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ @nrkbjp , ಪದಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಮತ್ತು… pic.twitter.com/40YixAZ2UH
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BJP workers allegedly attack children during Christmas carol roadshow in Kerala’s Palakkad: Reports
Palakkad: A group of children celebrating Christmas through a carol roadshow was allegedly attacked by BJP workers in Kerala’s Palakkad district on Sunday night.
According to local reports, the incident occurred in Pudussery area of Palakkad, where over 25 children, mostly aged around 13, were moving from house to house singing Christmas carols. Reports state that a BJP worker identified as Ashwin Raj, along with others, allegedly assaulted the children and vandalised their musical equipment.
According to the police and eyewitness accounts, the children were using a band set that belonged to a local CPI(M) office, which had the party’s name written on it.
Allegedly objecting to this, the accused and his associates reportedly lured the children on the pretext of offering them money and then assaulted them. The band set used by the children was also smashed.
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The Town Police have arrested Ashwin Raj, a local BJP worker who has been named as the prime accused in the case. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest the remaining accused who fled the scene.
Speaking to the media, one of the injured children said, “We were using the band just for fun. When they saw that it had CPM written on it, they took us aside and beat us.”
"We had given the band set that was in our office out of love when the children asked for it. The fact that these young children, who do not know the intricacies of politics, were attacked shows the criminal mentality of the BJP workers," local CPIM leaders expressed outrage.
A police officer told PTI that the arrested accused is already booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA).
The sections invoked include Section 192 (provocation with intent to cause a riot), Section 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and Section 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), police added.
