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Mangaluru Coal Lorry Owners Declare Indefinite Strike Starting Sep 25

Lorry owners in Mangaluru are set to strike from September 25, demanding higher transport fees for coal delivery, citing rising operational costs and minimal price increases by coal buyers.

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Mangaluru Coal Lorry Owners Declare Indefinite Strike Starting Sep 25
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Mangaluru: Lorry owners who transport coal from Navamangaluru port (NMP) to steel, sugar and paper industries in different parts of the state have decided to go on indefinite strike from September 25 demanding hike in transport cost and other demands.

There are 2000 trucks supplying coal from NMP to steel industries in Bellary and Koppal and to sugar and paper industries in Shivamogga, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts. On an average, 300 coal-laden trucks leave the port every day.

“Our operational cost has doubled in the last five years, coal buyers have increased the transportation cost by only Rs 100-150 per tonne, which is causing loss to the truck owners,” said Sushant Shetty, president of Dakshina Kannada Lorry Owners Association.

“In the last five years, the price of a truck (14-wheeler) has gone up from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh, tire from Rs 16,000 to Rs 28,000, road tax to Rs 2,000. But the cost of fuel and spare parts has doubled. But only coal buyers have increased their freight cost by Rs 100. He accused.

1,300 per tonne of coal supply to Koppal. And the Lorry Owners’ Association has urged the government to allocate Rs 1,400 to Bellary. A fortnight ago, the association had appealed to the district administration to resolve their grievances. But as there was no response, the lorry owners decided to go on strike.

Karnataka

Karnataka Bandh Sparks Tension: A Human Story of Language, Protest, and Global Echoes

Today, March 22, 2025, Karnataka woke up to a wave of emotion and unrest as pro-Kannada groups called for a 12-hour statewide bandh. This wasn’t just another protest—it was a cry from the heart, sparked by an alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi last month. The conductor’s crime? Not speaking Marathi. For many […]

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Karnataka Bandh Sparks Tension: A Human Story of Language, Protest, and Global Echoes

Today, March 22, 2025, Karnataka woke up to a wave of emotion and unrest as pro-Kannada groups called for a 12-hour statewide bandh. This wasn’t just another protest—it was a cry from the heart, sparked by an alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi last month. The conductor’s crime? Not speaking Marathi. For many Kannadigas, this incident struck a deep chord, igniting a fierce defense of their language and identity.

How Karnataka Bandh Effect the Bengaluru City

The streets of Bengaluru and beyond buzzed with tension as security tightened across the state. Protesters, led by voices like Vatal Nagaraj of Kannada Okkuta, rallied for justice, expecting widespread support. Yet, not everyone joined the cause—big names like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike stayed on the sidelines, leaving some to wonder how united this movement truly was. For the average person—whether a shopkeeper closing up early or a commuter bracing for delays—it was a day of disruption, frustration, and quiet reflection on what it means to belong.

Meanwhile, the world kept spinning with its own dramas. In the U.S., Elon Musk stepped into the Pentagon, greeted as a “patriot” by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Their meeting hinted at big plans, though the details stayed under wraps—classic Musk mystery. Across the globe, Donald Trump’s latest AI-generated vision of Gaza, complete with skyscrapers and a golden statue of himself, raised eyebrows and stirred debate. Was it a bold dream or a wild fantasy? Closer to home, PM Narendra Modi’s name floated in the air—not tied to the bandh, but as a steady presence in India’s ever-shifting political landscape.

And then there were the wars—Gaza and Israel, Ukraine and Russia—distant but heavy, their echoes felt even in Karnataka’s quiet corners. At Heathrow Airport, travelers shuffled through another day, blissfully unaware of the ripples connecting their journey to these global threads.

Back in Karnataka, the bandh wasn’t just about a single incident. It was about pride, about language as a lifeline, and about people standing up for what they call home. As the day unfolded, it left behind stories—of anger, resilience, and the messy, beautiful humanity that ties us all together.

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Karnataka

Karnataka Assembly Approves 4% Muslim Quota in Contracts Amid Heated Protests

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Karnataka Assembly Approves 4% Muslim Quota in Contracts Amid Heated Protests
This photo is for representational purposes only

Bengaluru In a bustling session at the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, a significant decision unfolded on Friday that stirred both support and uproar. The assembly passed a bill granting a 4% reservation for Muslim contractors in state government projects, a move aimed at leveling the playing field for this community. This wasn’t just another day at the office—emotions ran high as eighteen BJP MLAs found themselves suspended for six months after passionately protesting the decision, accusing it of crossing ethical lines and disrespecting the Speaker, U T Khader.

The drama peaked on the final day of the budget session, with opposition BJP members voicing their frustration over what they saw as an unfair allocation. They didn’t hold back—storming the well of the House, tearing up copies of the bill, and tossing them toward the Speaker’s chair. It was a chaotic scene, one that underscored the deep divide over this policy. The Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill 2025, as it’s officially called, doesn’t just stop at reservations—it also bumps up the contract size limit from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore, a change that’s set to reshape how public contracts are awarded across the state.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stood firm, explaining that this quota is about giving Muslim contractors a fair shot at opportunities they’ve long been sidelined from. Meanwhile, the BJP fired back, labeling it as “contract jihad” and vowing to take the fight to court. They argue it’s a step too far, infringing on the rights of other groups like OBCs, SCs, and STs who already benefit from existing quotas—24.1% for SC/ST contractors alone.

The bill’s passage wasn’t without its share of fireworks. Beyond the protests, it’s part of a broader push by the Congress-led government to address unemployment and boost participation in public works. For the people of Karnataka, this decision hits close to home—whether it’s seen as a stride toward equality or a spark for further tension, it’s a story that’s got everyone talking.

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Karnataka

Karnataka Assembly Chaos 2025: BJP MLAs Protest Muslim Quota Bill Amid Honey Trap Scandal

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly turned into a battleground on Friday, March 21, 2025, when a routine finance bill vote spiraled into pandemonium. BJP lawmakers, convinced they were facing a controversial bill granting a 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts, erupted in protest. In a fiery scene, they ripped up what they thought were copies […]

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Karnataka Assembly Chaos 2025: BJP MLAs Protest Muslim Quota Bill Amid Honey Trap Scandal
Image for just representational purposes only

Things got wild in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on March 21, 2025, when a simple finance bill turned into a full-blown mess. BJP lawmakers were dead sure it was actually a sneaky move to push through a 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts—a proposal they’ve been fuming about. So, in a fit of frustration, they grabbed what they thought were copies of this quota bill, ripped them to shreds, and flung them right at the Assembly Speaker. You can imagine the room buzzing with tension after that!

But the chaos didn’t end there. Just when you’d think it couldn’t get crazier, whispers of a honey trap scandal started swirling around, making the whole scene feel like something out of a political drama. BJP MLA Bharath Shetty jumped in to explain their side to India Today, saying, “We were sure the Chief Minister was ramming through that Muslim quota thing. The Congress MLAs didn’t take it lying down either—they started tearing up papers and tossing books at us. Total madness, but we didn’t hurt anyone.” It was like a shouting match with props!

Now, here’s the kicker: the Speaker’s Office later clarified it was just a finance bill all along—the Muslim reservation idea is still sitting on the table, not passed yet. Under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Congress folks say this kind of reservation would lift up minorities and level the playing field. The BJP, though? They’re calling it “appeasement nonsense” and promising a courtroom showdown over it. Oh, and that honey trap business? It’s only stirring the pot more, with the opposition yelling for answers while the government tries to keep a lid on things.

This Karnataka Assembly Chaos 2025 is a real snapshot of how divided things are down there right now. Between the bill mix-up and the scandal rumors, it’s hard to see any real work getting done. Bengaluru’s political scene is practically on fire, and both sides are digging in their heels. The rest of us? We’re just waiting to see how this rollercoaster plays out—stay tuned for the next twist!

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