Truckers call off strike after assurance from Karnataka govt
Bengaluru, Apr 17 (PTI): Truckers associated with the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Associations (FOKSLOAA) on Thursday called off their strike after state Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy agreed to most of their demands.
The FOKSLOAA, with 129 truckers’ associations and six lakh members, commenced their protest on Monday night with a host of demands, including a reduction in diesel prices and toll-related problems faced by the truckers.
Transport Minister Reddy confirmed that the strike has been called off.
"I have told them that I would look into most of their demands, including the one related to check posts at the border areas," Reddy told PTI.
He said he has assured the FOKSLOAA delegation that a committee would be formed which will decide within three to four months about the role and responsibility of the check posts.
About the no-entry inside the Bengaluru city, the minister said he will speak to the Bengaluru Police Commissioner.
"I have told the truck drivers to complete their work between 7 AM and 8 AM," Reddy said.
He said he also agreed for the online fine payment for the truckers.
The minister said he has also assured them to set up more centres to renew their driving licence.
"Their demand for diesel price reduction and abolition of toll plaza was unrelated to us. I told them to first speak to the Centre before coming to us," Reddy said.
FOKSLOAA general secretary Somasundaram Balan said the strike has been called off. Except for diesel price reduction and toll related issues, all the demands have been fulfilled, he added.
According to Balan, the minister assured them that tariff charges of trucks will be given to the truckers within a month. A committee would be formed which will fix the rates.
Regarding the toll charges, the FOKSLOAA general secretary said the minister assured the delegation that it will be borne by the consigner or consignee and not the truckers.
FOKSLOAA president G R Shanmugappa told reporters after meeting with the minister that his federation had put forth five issues before the Karnataka government, which were genuine.
"We have raised the issue of border check posts of the Road Transport Office (RTO). These check posts have been removed in most of the states. So why is it still operating in Karnataka? Why is money collected there and why is RTO creating problem there? The minister assured us that within three months the state would take a call on scrapping them after studying the abolition of check posts in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh," Shanmugappa said.
Regarding the diesel price, Shanmugappa said there were fixed transportation charges for the autorickshaws, hail riding taxis and buses, but no such mechanism existed for trucks for the past 25 years. "The minister has said within a month the rent will be fixed, which is a matter of joy for us," he added.
The representatives of the truckers’ body had twice held discussions with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Reddy on Tuesday, which remained inconclusive.
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Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad arrested over remarks on Operation Sindoor
sparks free speech debate
Sonipat/New Delhi: Ali Khan Mahmudabad, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science at Ashoka University, has been arrested following remarks made on social media regarding media briefings related to Operation Sindoor. The arrest has ignited a fresh debate on academic freedom and political sensitivities in India.
The arrest was initiated based on a complaint filed by Yogesh Jatheri, General Secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha in Haryana. According to sources, Mahmudabad was taken from his Delhi residence without a transit remand, prompting criticism from several academics and activists. Delhi University professor Apoorvanand stated, "Haryana police has illegally arrested Dr. Ali Khan. Taken to Haryana from Delhi without transit remand. FIR at 8 PM. Police reached his home the next morning at 7 AM!"
Mahmudabad's remarks, referring to the press briefings by Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofia Qureshi as "optics," sparked controversy. He had stated, “Optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it’s just hypocrisy,” as reported by PTI.
In response, the Haryana State Commission for Women issued a notice to Mahmudabad, citing suo motu cognisance of public statements made around May 7. However, the professor did not appear before the Commission in Panchkula as required.
Reacting to the developments, Mahmudabad defended his remarks in a public statement on social media platform X. He said, “I am surprised that the Women's Commission, while overreaching its jurisdiction, has misread and misunderstood my posts to such an extent that they have inverted their meaning.”
He added that his work has always upheld constitutional values. “My academic record, public writings, and policy work, including collaborations with senior bureaucrats, military officers, and politicians, attest to the fact that I have made it a priority to protect the unity and integrity of India,” he said.
Mahmudabad further asserted that his social media posts were aimed at promoting peace and harmony while appreciating the Indian armed forces for their resolve. “I exercised my fundamental right to freedom of thought and speech in order to promote peace and harmony, and to applaud the Indian armed forces for their resolute action,” he said.
Ashoka University issued a statement distancing itself from Mahmudabad’s personal views. “Comments made by a faculty member on his personal social media pages do not represent the opinion of the university. These statements have been made by him independently in his individual capacity,” the university said.
Reaffirming support for the armed forces, the university added, “Ashoka University and all members of the Ashoka community are proud of India's armed forces and support them unequivocally in their actions towards maintaining national security.”
