Education Minister's Response to Student's Remark Draws Criticism

Bengaluru: Karnataka's Education Minister, Madhu Bangarappa, is facing backlash after he ordered action against a student who remarked during a video conference that the minister doesn't know Kannada. The incident occurred during the launch of an online coaching course for students preparing for competitive exams like the Karnataka Common Entrance Test, JEE, and NEET.

In a video circulating on social media, the minister is heard interacting with students when a voice from the crowd says, "The Education Minister does not know Kannada." Bangarappa, visibly upset, retorted, "What? Who is it? Am I speaking Urdu?" He further instructed authorities to take action against the student, calling the remark "stupid" and stressing the seriousness of the issue.

This incident has sparked sharp criticism, particularly from the opposition BJP. Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister and MP from Karnataka, questioned the Congress-led state's reaction, pointing out that Bangarappa had previously admitted not knowing Kannada. The BJP's official social media account posted a cartoon criticising the minister for calling a student’s question "stupid," despite encouraging bold questions.