Vidhana Soudha to Open for Public Tours from June 1
Bengaluru, May 25 (PTI): The Vidhana Soudha guided walking tours, a first-of-its-kind experience that invites the public to step inside Karnataka’s seat of legislative power, were launched on Sunday.
The initiative by the Department of Tourism (DoT) and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), in coordination with the Speaker's Office–Karnataka Legislative Assembly, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), and the Vidhana Soudha security division, will be open to the public from June 1.
The tours will be conducted on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays, and all Sundays of every month, from 8 am to 5 pm (as per the time slots listed on the KSTDC website), officials said.
An introductory ticket price of Rs 50 has been fixed for individuals aged 16 and above, while children aged 15 and below can book tickets for free.
At the launch, Speaker U T Khader said, "The Vidhana Soudha guided walking tour is a unique initiative designed to immerse citizens in the rich legacy of Karnataka’s democratic heritage. These tours stand as a testament to our commitment to transparency, civic engagement, and the preservation of our historical narrative."
Karnataka Minister for Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation and Tourism, H K Patil, said, "Vidhana Soudha is the living story of our State’s democratic journey. Opening its corridors to the public is a celebration of transparency, heritage, and civic pride." The guided walking tour offers exclusive insights into the building’s historical significance, architectural marvels, and key areas within the complex. Each group will be accompanied by a trained tour guide and a Tourist Mitra (tourist police).
The 90-minute guided tour will be conducted in Kannada and English, covering an approximate distance of 1.5 km on foot.
Each slot will accommodate 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis, and officials expect to host over 300 guests each day.
However, State BJP President B Y Vijayendra criticised the move, claiming the state government is facing "financial distress" and has now resorted to charging visitors to enter Vidhana Soudha.
"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is unable to mobilise resources for guarantee schemes or development. MLAs aren’t receiving funds for their constituencies, and as a result, the government is taking all sorts of decisions," he told reporters here.
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Karnataka State Women’s Commission urges action on online abuse targeting actor Ramya
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka State Women’s Commission, in a letter sent on Monday, urged the Bengaluru Police Commissioner to take action against the surge of online abuse directed at women, including former MP and actor Ramya, following "derogatory posts" on social media, allegedly made by fans of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa.
"There is a report about derogatory messages being posted on social media against former MP and film actress Ramya. This is affecting the status of women, and the State Women's Commission has taken this matter seriously," the letter said.
A copy was shared with the media.
The Commission asked Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh to investigate the matter, take appropriate action against those responsible, and ensure that "the abusive content is removed from social media platforms."
Reports earlier indicated that Ramya (known as Divya Spandana) was planning to approach the police regarding the alleged harassment. She is said to be compiling the abusive messages to submit as part of her complaint.
On July 27, the actor shared screenshots of some of the posts on her Instagram page, claiming, "It is because of trolls with a misogynistic mindset that women and young girls are subjected to harassment, rape, and murder."
Ramya has consistently spoken out against the rising trend of online abuse targeting women, often calling out the violent and abusive nature of such trolling.
Thoogudeepa, a popular figure in the Kannada film industry, is currently out on bail in connection with the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a native of Chitradurga.
Renukaswamy, reportedly a fan of Thoogudeepa, was allegedly killed for posting derogatory remarks about Pavitra Gowda, an associate of the actor.
Thoogudeepa's fanbase, which refers to him as ‘D-Boss’, is known to "defend him aggressively on social media."
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