Chitradurga, 25 July

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday said the Congress will protest till the issues concerning students are addressed. He said protests are integral part of democracy.

His comments came as Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned his position following massive protest over NEET paper leaks.

Speaking to reporters here, Shivakumar said the Congresswill not stop its agitation till the concerns of the students are addressed. "They (Centre) are unable to bear the embarrassment. The Prime Minister has finally opened his eyes. We have been demanding a discussion in Parliament that the Union minister should resign," he said.

He was referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's selfie video messages and sending team to meet activist Sonam Wangchuk and Cockroach Janata Party leaders.

Calling it an issue concerning the future of children, the chief minister said the BJP was unable to deal with the anger among students over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

"This concerns the future of our children. The BJP is unable to handle the situation. The children have risen in protest. Students across the country have revolted, and we cannot ignore them," he said.

Shivakumar said protests were an integral part of democracy and rejected criticism over demonstrations against the Centre. "This is democracy. Many protests are held against me too, and I cannot stop them. Even you in the media organise protests, and nobody can stop you. That is how democracy functions," he said.

Replying to a question on the Karnataka Public Service Commission examination scam, Shivakumar said the state government would conduct an investigation and take legal action in the KPSC controversy.

A group of veterinary doctor aspirants had lodged a complaint with the police, alleging large-scale irregularities in the KPSC recruitment process for 400 veterinary officer posts in the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department and seeking a probe into the selection process. The recruitment examination was conducted by the KPSC in January 2026, while the final selection list was published on 17 July.

The allegations come days after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, on 13 July, suspended KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar over allegations that he facilitated the illegal selection of his two daughters as industrial extension officers.

The CM said the government had accepted the Governor's communication regarding the commission chairman's suspension and would proceed with an investigation. "Did I appoint that chairman (Congress)? They (BJP) appointed him. I accepted it. We will conduct whatever investigation is necessary and take legal action," he said.

On farmers' protest against land acquisition for AI powered integrated township project at Bidadi in Bengaluru South district, the Chief Minister said no coercion would be used against farmers in connection with the proposed land acquisition in Bidadi.

Shivakumar said the interests of farmers would be protected and that no pressure would be exerted on them. "The Bidadi farmers are our farmers. There is no pressure on anyone. There is no question of causing hardship to anybody. I will take the final decision," he said.