Karnataka Home Minister Threatens Lathi Charge Over Student Exam Protests

During a press briefing in Bengaluru, Karnataka home minister Priyank Kharge responded to criticism over a protest at the Tikota Sharadamba PU College exam centre, where a minority of candidates disrupted a police constable recruitment test. He argued that only a few individuals caused the disturbance and that the state had to detain some to protect the majority of examinees. Kharge then suggested that those demanding his resignation should first endure a 25-day hunger strike and, if unrest continued, a police lathi-charge before he would quit, referencing the earlier police sub-inspector recruitment scandal.

The BJP, JD(S) and opposition leader R Ashoka condemned the remarks as an attempt to intimidate students and demanded his resignation. Kharge claimed his words were aimed at political opponents, not students, and said the Home Department would investigate the circulation of edited video clips, warning of possible legal action. The Karnataka Examinations Authority had earlier dismissed allegations of exam irregularities, stating no rule required OMR sheet numbers to match question papers.