Calling for peace, Siddaramaiah added, "I urge all Kannadigas not to succumb to provocation or emotion. Let us uphold the law and maintain peace. Karnataka is governed by a government elected by the people of this land, and it stands firmly for justice and dignity."
Published Apr 22, 2025 | 2:15 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 22, 2025 | 2:35 PM
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah. (X)
Synopsis: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah condemned IAF officer Shiladitya Bose’s assault on biker Vikas Kumar and his anti-Karnataka remarks, calling them inflammatory and baseless. He criticised national media for amplifying unverified claims, hurting Kannadiga sentiments.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday, 22 April, took to X to criticise the national media outlets for highlighting an unverified claim in the road rage incident involving IAF officer Shiladitya Bose and biker Vikas Kumar.
In the post, he also condemned Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose’s assault on Vikas Kumar and his baseless anti-Karnataka remarks. Highlighting Karnataka’s inclusive culture, he called for peace, and assured strict legal action against those involved, regardless of their position.
On Monday, 20 April, Wing Commander Shiladtiya Bose and his wife Madhumita, a squadron leader with the Defence Research and Development Organisation, alleged that they were attacked by locals speaking Kannada who backed a biker who grazed their car, while driving in the Baiyappanahalli police station limits at around 6.20am on Monday, 21 April.
However the incident took a new turn after CCTV footage emerged. The visuals showed Indian Air Force officer assaulting a biker, later identified as call centre employee Vikas Kumar.
Following Bose’s initial social media posts, some users, particularly right-wing accounts, linked the incident to broader claims of rising anti-Hindi and anti-north Indian sentiment in Karnataka, criticising the Congress-led state government.
While the biker was arrested on Monday, the IAF officer has been booked in an attempt to murder case following backlash from pro-Kannada groups.
In the X post, the chief minister said, “In connection with a recent incident in CV Raman Nagar, Bengaluru, Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose assaulted a Kannadiga, Vikas Kumar, following a minor vehicle-related matter. Subsequently, he made unwarranted and derogatory remarks about Karnataka and Kannadigas on social media, displaying conduct that is deeply disrespectful and inflammatory.”
“Kannadigas are proud of their mother tongue, but they are not parochial or intolerant. It is not in our culture to attack or abuse others over linguistic matters.”
Further in the tweet, he noted, “Karnataka has a long and proud tradition of embracing people from across the country, treating them with respect, and accepting them as one of our own. The inclusive spirit of this land is well documented in history.”
“It is deeply regrettable that certain national media outlets, neglecting their responsibility and professional ethics, have amplified a baseless accusation by one individual, thereby casting aspersions on the dignity of the entire state. This has caused pain and anguish to every Kannadiga.” Siddaramaiah noted criticising the media.
Further calling for peace, he added, “I urge all Kannadigas not to succumb to provocation or emotion. Let us uphold the law and maintain peace. Karnataka is governed by a government elected by the people of this land, and it stands firmly for justice and dignity.”
“With regard to the incident, I have instructed the Commissioner of Police to take appropriate legal action against the individuals involved – irrespective of their position or rank. The State Government is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and is committed to ensuring justice for the victim.”
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಸಿವಿ ರಾಮನ್ ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಹನ ಟಚ್ ಆದ ವಿಚಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗ ವಿಕಾಸ್ ಕುಮಾರ್ ಅವರ ಮೇಲೆ ಹಲ್ಲೆ ನಡೆಸಿರುವ ವಿಂಗ್ ಕಮಾಂಡರ್ ಶಿಲಾದಿತ್ಯ ಬೋಸ್, ನಂತರ ಜಾಲತಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಮತ್ತು ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಇಲ್ಲಸಲ್ಲದ ಆರೋಪ ಮಾಡಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಸ್ವಾಭಿಮಾನ ಕೆಣಕುವ ದುಷ್ಟತನ ಮೆರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ಮಾತೃ ಭಾಷೆಯ…
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 22, 2025
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
