Mahesh Shetty Timarodi’s remark echoes in Assembly; Government vows unhesitating legal action
Bengaluru: A purported statement attributed to Mahesh Shetty Timarodi, claiming that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was responsible for 24 murders, reverberated in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Monday. The government announced that legal action would be initiated against him without hesitation.
Raising the issue in the House, Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka said that the same individual who repeatedly insults Dharmasthala has now accused the Chief Minister of involvement in 24 killings, which he described as a grave insult to the state’s highest office. Ashoka questioned whether the government would form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into this allegation, as it had done in connection with the Dharmasthala case.
Several BJP members, including MLA Suresh, demanded the immediate arrest of Timarodi, accusing him of indulging in a dangerous trend of maligning anyone who speaks positively about religious institutions.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar intervened, cautioning against giving undue prominence to Timarodi by repeatedly mentioning his name. He noted that Timarodi had also made remarks against the BJP’s national general secretary. “The government is observing everything closely, and the Home Department will take firm action,” Shivakumar said.
Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara later informed the Assembly that multiple cases had already been registered against Timarodi and that instructions had been issued to proceed with legal measures over his latest comments.
However, it subsequently emerged that Timarodi’s alleged remark had been distorted. According to reports, the viral video was edited to suggest that he directly accused the Chief Minister, whereas in reality he was referring to a statement made by BJP MLA Harish Poonja. This edited clip became the basis of the controversy discussed in the Assembly.
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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.
