Bengaluru, Sept 25: The I Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Bengaluru has remanded 41 Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Karave) activists to 14 days of judicial custody for allegedly storming the Taj West End Hotel during a protest against the Union government’s language policy.
Police produced the activists at a judge’s residence in Koramangala on Wednesday night. Those remanded include Karave Bengaluru City President Narayanagowda Badada, leaders Dharmaraj, Shwetha Gowda, and several others.
The Trigger
The activists barged into the hotel premises during an event attended by six MPs from North India, which they alleged was part of the Centre’s Hindi imposition agenda. According to Karave leaders, the meeting involved senior officials from central government offices in Karnataka and allegedly discussed ways to expand the use of Hindi in administration.
Karave activists accused the Union government of offering incentives, increments, and even gold medals to Hindi-speaking officials while undermining Kannada identity.
Narayanagowda’s Allegations
Speaking about the incident, Karave president Narayanagowda said:
“The Centre is secretly working to impose Hindi in Karnataka. Their dangerous dream is to weaken Kannada and replace it with Hindi. Promises of bonuses and promotions for Hindi speakers expose this agenda. We will resist this conspiracy at every step.”
Judicial Custody and Political Fallout
Following the disruption, police detained the activists and booked them under charges of unlawful entry and disturbance of public order. The court subsequently ordered 14 days of judicial custody.
The arrests have triggered sharp criticism from Karave, which called the action “undemocratic” and vowed to intensify its agitation against Hindi imposition in Karnataka.
Security has been tightened in and around sensitive locations of Bengaluru to prevent further protests.
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