‘At least he has opened up after 15 days’: CM Shivakumar takes dig at PM Modi’s announcement on fast-track courts for paper leaks

BENGALURU: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar took a subtle dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the PM’s late night video message highlighting the setting up of fast-track court for paper leak cases.

“I am very happy. At least he has opened up after 15 days, or one month. He has opened up. I think that is very important because we all work for our children’s and youth’s future. At least now, I think he has opened up, and the entire country has opened up. Thanks for that”, he said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | On PM Modi’s video message, Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar says, “I am very happy that he has opened up after 15 days. We all work for the future of our children. Thanks to him.” pic.twitter.com/SVhpSpfp23

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2026

Speaking on the sidelines of a breakfast meeting with corporate executives, the Chief Minister further stated that his administration is keen on expanding technological education to rural children and invited industry leaders to partner in regional development initiatives.

He said, “We want to take AI to our children. And we want to AI for the rural children, that’s why I requested all of them to invest in rural areas or towns. We also want a curriculum, and we will be planning for that. That is why I requested all of them to be a part of the next Bangalore Tech Summit. I think all these CEOs came, and they were very open, and they agreed with how the government is trying to take things forward. So this Tech Summit will help globally.”

“We want to keep the name of Karnataka. Our leaders have built it, our talented people have built Bangalore. So we will work together”, Shivakumar added.

Addressing questions regarding inter-state water sharing, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar mentioned that formal discussions will be scheduled once the initial administrative priorities of the new cabinet conclude.

“I don’t want to disclose it now. I am very busy with this first week, with my cabinet expansion and all. We are ready to speak with everyone, share things with everyone, and work with everyone. But Tamil Nadu has some time,” DK Shivakumar said.

Earlier this week, the protest against NEET irregularities continued in Mandya, with activists burning an effigy of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and demanding his resignation. The demonstration was held at Sanjay Circle in Mandya by the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS) and other progressive organisations. Protesters raised slogans against the Central government and voiced their anger over the issue.

During the protest, activists set fire to an effigy of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Police personnel attempted to stop them, leading to a heated exchange between the police and protesters. The protesters condemned the alleged lathi-charge on students in Delhi and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central government.

Speakers at the protest alleged that the government had been negligent in addressing the students’ concerns, claiming that the lack of response had contributed to the escalation of the agitation. Protesters demanded the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, justice for students affected by the alleged NEET irregularities, and the scrapping of NEET in favour of reinstating the CET exam.

Leaders including DSS Krishna, C Kumari, KaRaVe Jayaram, M B Nagannagowda, Auto Krishna, and others participated in the protest. (ANI)