In a disturbing incident in Bengaluru, a 30-year-old techie residing in Begur faced sexual abuse by a technician who visited her home to fix her water purifier. The shocking incident, reported by Times of India, sheds light on the vulnerability of individuals in such service-related encounters.

The ordeal began when the woman placed a service request for the reinstallation of her water purifier on May 4. With the technician failing to show up, she raised another complaint the next day. Upon his arrival around 5:00 pm, she innocently let him in, unaware of the impending danger.

As she followed the technician’s instructions, he took advantage of her being alone in the house and groped her from behind while she was in the kitchen. Despite her protests, he persisted, leaving her terrified and helpless.

Fortunately, she managed to lock herself in and seek help from a nearby friend. Upon arrival, the friend confronted the technician, leading to a scuffle where the technician fled, leaving behind his equipment. Subsequently, the woman filed a complaint with the Begur police station.

Despite attempts to locate him, the technician remained elusive until Wednesday when he was apprehended by the police. A case under IPC Section 354 A (sexual harassment) has been registered, signaling a step towards justice for the victim.

This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and safety, especially when allowing strangers into one’s home for service-related tasks. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent measures to prevent such heinous acts and ensure the safety of individuals in their own homes.

JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna finds himself embroiled in what is being touted as the “world’s biggest sexual abuse case” in Karnataka. The ruling Congress in the state has leveled serious allegations against him, alleging attempts to divert attention from the scandal by focusing on the release of explicit videos implicating him and others.

A press conference held by four ministers from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s cabinet shed light on the gravity of the situation. Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, among others, emphasized the importance of not losing sight of the primary issue amidst the whirlwind of discussions. According to Gowda, the focus should remain on investigating the allegations, ensuring justice for the victims, and holding the guilty parties accountable.

The controversy erupted when opposition leaders from JD(S) and BJP accused Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of involvement in distributing pen drives containing explicit video clips allegedly featuring Prajwal Revanna and several women who were purportedly victims of sexual abuse. Prajwal Revanna, being the nephew of JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy, further intensifies the political storm surrounding the scandal.

While the Congress government has initiated a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter, the BJP and JD(S) are demanding a CBI investigation, arguing for swift action against those responsible for disseminating the explicit videos.

Minister Gowda has boldly challenged the gravity of the case, highlighting the severity of the alleged abuse and emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to ensure justice for the victims. He has accused certain parties of orchestrating a cover-up and diverting attention from the core issue.

Furthermore, Minister Reddy has suggested that the controversy arose from internal conflicts within the BJP and JD(S) in Hassan, implying that the names of Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are being unnecessarily dragged into the fray.

Cheluvarayaswamy echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the JD(S) leadership for politicizing the issue and attempting to deflect blame. He emphasized the need for all parties involved to focus on the truth and refrain from baseless accusations.

The government’s seriousness in addressing the matter is underscored by Minister Gowda’s mention of strict measures against further circulation of incriminating materials. The SIT’s proactive stance in preventing the dissemination of explicit content demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding the victims’ dignity.

In conclusion, the unfolding scandal implicating JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna in Karnataka’s political arena underscores the urgent need for a transparent investigation and swift justice. As allegations continue to swirl and political tensions escalate, the focus must remain on uncovering the truth and ensuring accountability for all parties involved.

the Congress government in Karnataka has made a significant decision regarding the educational structure for college students. The government has issued an order withdrawing the option for college students to pursue a four-year honors program starting from the 2024-25 academic year. This decision comes following recommendations by the State Education Policy (SEP) Commission as outlined in its interim report.

The move marks a shift away from the four-year degree program that was adopted in Karnataka in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) in 2021-22. At that time, Karnataka, under the BJP government, had been the first state to embrace NEP. However, with the change in administration last year, the Congress government has opted to revert to the traditional three-year degree program.

The decision to withdraw the four-year honors program has been justified by the higher education department as a result of extensive consultation conducted by the SEP Commission. According to the department, the decision is guided by considerations of historical experience, the overall interests of students, equity, social justice, and equal opportunity for students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

The SEP Commission has expressed the view that the shift towards a four-year degree structure was motivated by the desire to align with global education systems, particularly the US model, to facilitate undergraduate students’ pursuit of master’s degrees abroad. However, the government contends that maintaining a four-year program could potentially limit access to undergraduate education for economically disadvantaged groups such as SCs, STs, women, and students from rural areas.

Moreover, challenges related to inadequate physical infrastructure and a shortage of facilities and faculty have been cited as reasons for colleges’ reluctance to implement the four-year undergraduate program.

In light of the government’s decision, universities have been instructed to initiate the affiliation process and commence admissions without delay. However, only students admitted during the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 academic years will have the option to pursue the fourth year of study. In cases where the four-year honors program is not available in their current colleges, students may choose from a list of colleges identified by the respective universities.

The government has also approved three alternative undergraduate curriculum frameworks. These include options such as three majors with a general degree across all six semesters, or three majors up to the fourth semester followed by specialization in one subject for the fifth and sixth semesters. Additionally, students may opt for single-subject specialization from the first semester with minors.

The focus of these curriculum changes is to offer a broad spectrum of knowledge, incorporate industry-relevant skill-based courses, and grant autonomy to universities to design region-specific courses through their respective Boards of Studies. Furthermore, the integration of apprenticeship-embedded degree courses into the curriculum is under consideration.

However, the government has yet to finalize decisions regarding multiple entry-exit options, a component of the NEP. A decision on this matter will be made following the submission of the SEP Commission’s final report, expected in August.

In conclusion, the withdrawal of the four-year honors program in Karnataka signifies a significant policy shift in the state’s educational landscape. While the decision aims to address concerns regarding accessibility and infrastructure, its long-term implications remain to be seen.