{"id":7206,"date":"2026-03-31T14:55:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T09:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/?p=7206"},"modified":"2026-03-31T14:55:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T09:25:15","slug":"bengaluru-erupts-in-protest-krv-activists-attempt-to-burn-effigy-of-union-minister-shobha-karandlaje-over-hindi-imposition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/?p=7206","title":{"rendered":"Bengaluru Erupts in Protest: KRV Activists Attempt to Burn Effigy of Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje Over \u2018Hindi Imposition\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 data-path-to-node=\"0\">Protests Erupt in Bengaluru as Activists Target Union Minister Over Hindi Advocacy<\/h1>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"1\"><b data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">BENGALURU<\/b> \u2013 Tensions flared at the busy Anand Rao Circle today as members of the <b data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"81\">Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV)<\/b> launched a fierce demonstration against Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje. The protest, led primarily by the organization\u2019s women&#8217;s wing, saw activists attempting to burn an effigy of the Minister following her recent remarks supporting the mandatory status of a third language (Hindi) in the state\u2019s education system.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"2\">The unrest was triggered by the state government&#8217;s decision to implement a grading system for the third language in SSLC examinations this year\u2014a move Karandlaje has publicly criticized, advocating instead for the language&#8217;s traditional weightage.<\/p>\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"3\" \/>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"4\">Allegations of &#8220;Hindi Imposition&#8221;<\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5\">The demonstrators, representing the Bengaluru City District unit of the KRV, raised slogans not only against Karandlaje but also targeted several prominent BJP leaders, including B.Y. Vijayendra, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, R. Ashoka, Sriramulu, and Suresh Kumar. The activists accused the leadership of prioritizing &#8220;Hindi imposition&#8221; over the welfare of Kannada-speaking students.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"6\">Shwetha Mohan, President of the KRV Women\u2019s Wing (Bengaluru City District), delivered a scathing critique of the Union Minister\u2019s stance.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-path-to-node=\"7\">\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7,0\">&#8220;Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje must first learn to love the Kannada language. It was the Kannada-speaking people who voted her into power, not &#8216;Hindi-walas&#8217;,&#8221; Mohan stated during the rally.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7209\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7209\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7209\" src=\"https:\/\/indianow.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KRV-Karava-Kannada-Protest-Against-Hindi-Imposition-2-1024x922.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"922\" srcset=\"https:\/\/indianow.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KRV-Karava-Kannada-Protest-Against-Hindi-Imposition-2-1024x922.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/indianow.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KRV-Karava-Kannada-Protest-Against-Hindi-Imposition-2-300x270.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/indianow.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KRV-Karava-Kannada-Protest-Against-Hindi-Imposition-2-768x692.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/indianow.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KRV-Karava-Kannada-Protest-Against-Hindi-Imposition-2.jpeg 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7209\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u0cb9\u0cbf\u0c82\u0ca6\u0cbf \u0cb9\u0cc7\u0cb0\u0cbf\u0c95\u0cc6 \u0cb5\u0cbf\u0cb0\u0ccb\u0ca7\u0cbf\u0cb8\u0cbf \u0cb6\u0ccb\u0cad\u0cbe \u0c95\u0cb0\u0c82\u0ca6\u0ccd\u0cb2\u0cbe\u0c9c\u0cc6 \u0cb5\u0cbf\u0cb0\u0cc1\u0ca6\u0ccd\u0ca7 \u0c95\u0cb0\u0cb5\u0cc7 \u0cb8\u0cae\u0cb0: \u0cac\u0cc6\u0c82\u0c97\u0cb3\u0cc2\u0cb0\u0cbf\u0ca8\u0cb2\u0ccd\u0cb2\u0cbf \u0cb8\u0c9a\u0cbf\u0cb5\u0cc6\u0caf \u0cad\u0cc2\u0ca4\u0ca6\u0cb9\u0ca8\u0c95\u0ccd\u0c95\u0cc6 \u0caf\u0ca4\u0ccd\u0ca8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"8\" \/>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"9\">Academic Stakes and Regional Disparity<\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"10\">The protesters highlighted the academic toll the current language policy has taken on local students. According to KRV data, nearly <b data-path-to-node=\"10\" data-index-in-node=\"132\">140,000 students<\/b> failed their exams last year specifically due to the Hindi paper, resulting in a lost academic year for thousands.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"11\">&#8220;Where was Shobha Karandlaje when these students were losing their futures?&#8221; Mohan questioned. &#8220;Is it her intention that Kannada students should fail and ruin their prospects? How did such a distorted thought even occur to her?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"12\">The KRV further argued that BJP-ruled states often follow a two-language formula (English and Hindi), questioning why Karnataka\u2019s children should be burdened with a third language.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-path-to-node=\"13\">\n<p data-path-to-node=\"13,0\">&#8220;When children in other states are learning only two languages, why should Karnataka\u2019s students carry the extra weight of a third? Do BJP leaders lack this basic common sense?&#8221; the activists demanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"14\" \/>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"15\">Demands for Accountability<\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"16\">The protest also touched upon broader issues of regional representation, with activists questioning the Minister&#8217;s silence regarding the perceived lack of employment opportunities for Kannadigas in the railway sector. Shouts of &#8220;Hindi slaves, go back&#8221; and &#8220;Down with Hindi imposition&#8221; echoed through the circle as the situation escalated.<\/p>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"17\">Police Intervention<\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"18\">The demonstration reached a flashpoint when activists attempted to set fire to an effigy of the Union Minister. Police personnel stationed at the site quickly intervened, seizing the effigy and detaining several woman activists.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"19\">The KRV has issued a stern warning that if &#8220;anti-land policies&#8221; continue, they will launch a state-wide stir under the leadership of State President <b data-path-to-node=\"19\" data-index-in-node=\"149\">T.A. Narayana Gowda<\/b>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7208\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7208\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7208\" src=\"https:\/\/indianow.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KRV-Karava-Kannada-Protest-Against-Hindi-Imposition-4-1024x978.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"978\" srcset=\"https:\/\/indianow.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KRV-Karava-Kannada-Protest-Against-Hindi-Imposition-4-1024x978.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/indianow.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KRV-Karava-Kannada-Protest-Against-Hindi-Imposition-4-300x286.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/indianow.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KRV-Karava-Kannada-Protest-Against-Hindi-Imposition-4-768x733.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/indianow.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KRV-Karava-Kannada-Protest-Against-Hindi-Imposition-4.jpeg 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7208\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8220;\u0cae\u0ca4 \u0cb9\u0cbe\u0c95\u0cbf\u0ca6\u0ccd\u0ca6\u0cc1 \u0c95\u0ca8\u0ccd\u0ca8\u0ca1\u0cbf\u0c97\u0cb0\u0cc1, \u0cb9\u0cbf\u0c82\u0ca6\u0cbf\u0cb5\u0cbe\u0cb2\u0cbe\u0c97\u0cb3\u0cb2\u0ccd\u0cb2&#8221;: \u0c95\u0cc7\u0c82\u0ca6\u0ccd\u0cb0 \u0cb8\u0c9a\u0cbf\u0cb5\u0cc6 \u0cb5\u0cbf\u0cb0\u0cc1\u0ca6\u0ccd\u0ca7 \u0cb0\u0cca\u0c9a\u0ccd\u0c9a\u0cbf\u0c97\u0cc6\u0ca6\u0ccd\u0ca6 \u0c95\u0cb0\u0cb5\u0cc7 \u0cae\u0cb9\u0cbf\u0cb3\u0cbe \u0c98\u0c9f\u0c95; 1.40 \u0cb2\u0c95\u0ccd\u0cb7 \u0cb5\u0cbf\u0ca6\u0ccd\u0caf\u0cbe\u0cb0\u0ccd\u0ca5\u0cbf\u0c97\u0cb3 \u0cad\u0cb5\u0cbf\u0cb7\u0ccd\u0caf\u0ca6 \u0caa\u0ccd\u0cb0\u0cb6\u0ccd\u0ca8\u0cc6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_7206\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"7206\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/indianow.me\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Protests Erupt in Bengaluru as Activists Target Union Minister Over Hindi Advocacy BENGALURU \u2013 Tensions flared at the busy Anand Rao Circle today as members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) launched a fierce demonstration against Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje. The protest, led primarily by the organization\u2019s women&#8217;s wing, saw activists attempting to burn an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7207,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[198],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bengaluru"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":54,"today_views":0},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7206"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7210,"href":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7206\/revisions\/7210"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianow.me\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}