Bengaluru — Large-scale protests broke out in Tumakuru district on Tuesday after Karnataka’s Cooperation Minister K. N. Rajanna was unexpectedly removed from the state cabinet. Demonstrators in Madhugiri town, many of them his long-time supporters, shut shops, held marches, and shouted slogans demanding his reinstatement.
According to police, the agitation began shortly after news of Rajanna’s dismissal spread. A local councillor, Girija Manjunath, resigned in solidarity, while one protester allegedly attempted self-immolation but was stopped in time. Some incidents of property damage were also reported.
The protests coincided with uproar in the legislative assembly, where opposition leaders questioned the lack of explanation for the minister’s removal. The government maintained that appointing or removing ministers falls under the Chief Minister’s prerogative and requires no formal reasoning.
Rajanna, a senior Congress leader from the Valmiki community, has been vocal on various issues in recent weeks, including remarks critical of party leadership over alleged irregularities. His exit has sparked allegations from some political figures that the party is sidelining leaders from certain communities.
Former minister G. Raju Gouda claimed the decision reflected internal politics and urged legislators from the Valmiki community to unite against what he described as “injustice.”
While the government has not commented on the reasons for Rajanna’s ouster, the incident has deepened rifts within the party and mobilised his grassroots support base. Police have been deployed in Madhugiri to prevent further unrest, and officials are monitoring the situation closely.
Patna Court Stays Arrest of Educator Khan Sir in Ongoing Case
IRCTC Scam Case: Court Defers Decision on Charges Against Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi Again
Adani Energy to Acquire IntelliSmart in ₹3,050 Crore Deal, Expands Smart Meter Presence
731 Displaced Persons Reportedly Die in Relief Camps Since Manipur Ethnic Violence Began
Suspected Contaminated Water Leaves Several Children Ill in Guna Village
Lucknow Petrol Pump Under Scanner After Customers Allege Fuel Short Delivery
IAS Officer Dhiman Chakma Reappointed Despite Bribery Allegations
Domestic LPG Cylinder Price Increased by ₹29 in Delhi, New Rates Effective
₴26 Crore Railway Overbridge Damaged Just Days After Opening
Kerala on High Alert After Child Dies from Shigella Infection
The agitation was primarily directed against the Cooch Behar district Congress President, Biswajit Sarkar
Tragic Teesta River Plunge Claims Four Lives Along NH10
Historic Siliguri Town Station Set for ₹3 Crore Heritage Makeover
ED Seeks SFIO Probe Documents in Kerala Money Laundering Case
Ghaziabad Murder Accused Killed in Police Encounter
Hopes for a breakthrough in US-Iran negotiations were put on hold after Presiden...
DK Shivakumar Set to Take Oath as Karnataka Chief Minister on June 3
Sehwag Trolls Sai Sudharsan After Back-to-Back Hit-Wicket Dismissals in IPL Play...
India has confirmed signing a BrahMos missile agreement with Vietnam, marking a...
