Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the post was taken down to to avoid distraction from the accomplishments of the KSRTC and the Shakti Scheme and stressed that the achievements cited are factual, verifiable, and stand independently of any third-party recognition.
Published Oct 17, 2025 | 8:55 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 17, 2025 | 8:55 PM
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
Synopsis: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has deleted a post on X claiming the state set two “world records” for women availing free bus rides and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation as the most award-winning transport company, after questions were raised over the credibility of the awarding body. The certificates were issued by the London Book of World Records, a private UK company that was reportedly dissolved in July 2025, prompting criticism from opposition leaders who called them “fake.”
A day after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah shared a post on X claiming that the state had bagged two “world records”—for the most number of women availing free bus rides and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) as the most award-winning transport corporation—the post has now been taken down.
Social media users were quick to point out that the certificates shared by the Chief Minister on X were issued by an organisation called the London Book of World Records (LBWR), which was reportedly dissolved earlier this year.
“London Book of World Records is a private limited company in the UK. The company was dissolved as of 15 July, 2025, according to UK Companies House. This does not appear authentic,” a ‘Community Notes’ crowdsourced fact check under the now-deleted post read.
Moreover, other users found that the website listed on the certificates shared by Siddaramaiah gives a UK-based address as the organisation’s “international address” and a Delhi-based address as its “head office.”
Leaders of the Opposition seized the opportunity to criticise the Congress for sharing “fake” certificates.
“The so-called ‘certificate’ is full of spelling and grammatical errors. Worse, the company was dissolved in July 2025, and the page is now apparently being run from Chuna Mandi, Paharganj, Delhi – under the name London Book of World Records! Only the Congress could fall for this level of scam within a scam,” BJP leader Amit Malviya said in a post on X.
Has any taxpayer money been spent to “avail” this award from what is supposedly a Delhi based entity?
Reeks of a sham. Why do politicians think they can fool people all the time? https://t.co/33CnqBCFTj pic.twitter.com/OUXOfkJgJY
— Vinay Kumar (@bahudari) October 14, 2025
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the post was withdrawn only to avoid distraction from the “substance” of the accomplishments of the KSRTC and the Shakti Scheme.
He added that the intent of the post was to celebrate Karnataka’s “commitment to progressive governance and efficient public service delivery.”
“However, the post was targeted, with concerns raised about the credentials of the awarding organisation. This led to the addition of a community note by Twitter and eventual deletion of the tweet to prevent further misrepresentation,” he said.
He further clarified that the achievements cited are factual, verifiable, and stand independently of any third-party recognition.
“The London Book of World Records is a private record-keeping body that has previously awarded several public personalities and institutions across India, including Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde, Government of Puducherry and well-known figures from the fields of cinema and social work,” he said.
While Community Notes and others on social media point to the organisation closing down in July, a record on the London Book of World Records website shows an achievement by a school in October 2025.
“SNBP International School, Morwadi, Maharashtra, entered London Book of World Records with the largest group of more than 2,100 students and staff singing Maharashtra Rajya Geet on Saturday, 4 October, 2025 in the school campus,” the website said.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
