'Why are roads so bad': Senior Karnataka ministers go after Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw as she flags Bengaluru civic woes; citizens echo Biocon chief's comment

BENGALURU: A social media post by Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, highlighting Bengaluru's crumbling civic infrastructure, has met with a strong reaction from senior ministers in the state govt.

In a case of shooting the messenger rather than accepting what is a daily reality for every Bengalurean who steps out of his/her house, senior ministers of Karnataka have gone after her, saying she shouldn't badmouth the city where she lives and has built a successful business in.Taking to X on Monday, Kiran-Shaw shared that an overseas business visitor to Biocon recently questioned the city's condition, saying: "Why are the roads so bad and why is there so much garbage around? Doesn't the govt want to support investment? I have just come from China and can't understand why India can't get its act together, especially when the winds are favourable."

The post quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions from several state ministers who defended the ongoing development efforts in the city.Netizens, though, hit out at the establishment in support of Kiran. Weighing in on the debate, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar sought “collective effort, not constant criticism”.In a detailed post on X, he wrote: “Bengaluru has given opportunities, identity and success to millions — it deserves collective effort, not constant criticism.

Yes, challenges exist, but we’re addressing them with focus and urgency.”Highlighting the major development works in the city, his post further said: “Instead of tearing Bengaluru down, let’s build it — together.The world sees India through Bengaluru.”While that is true, increasingly when you visit Delhi or Dehradun, the only thing you are asked about is the city’s infamous ‘traffic’, often accompanied by a pitying look.Kiran responded to Shivaku mar: “It is collective efforts with a mindset of urgency and quality.

Let’s show everyone how we can fix the city.”Minister for IT/BT Priyank Kharge responded by suggesting that the visitor may have had only a limited view of Bengaluru.“I am not sure which part of Bengaluru they have seen. As I have said, work is in progress. We are growing at a rapid pace, and whatever is necessary for infrastructure improvement, we are doing it,” he told the media.Industries minister MB Patil disapproved of such public criticism.

“Kiran Mazumdar is a big asset for our state and country. She has created a name for Bengaluru with Biocon, and Bengaluru has also given back to her — it is mutual.When work is in progress, tweeting about it is not in good taste,” Patil said.He also pointed out that Bengaluru’s growth has intensified due to the influx of people from across the country. According to him, only about 5% of the people from Karnataka move to other states, whereas Bengaluru continues to attract people from across the country.However, many netizens were not impressed with the govt’s defence, with one person saying: “Why are the ministers not accepting feedback and constructive criticism, why are they getting so offensive?”Meanwhile, opposition voices seized the opportunity to criticise the govt.

Aishwarya, daughter of late Union minister Ananth Kumar, supported Kiran’s remarks. “You are right, @kiranshaw ma’am. The Congress govt led by Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar has failed Bengaluru. Roads are broken, garbage litters the streets, and basic civic responsibilities are ignored,” she posted on X.Several citizens and civic leaders also joined the debate.Entrepreneur Tejas Lakhani suggested: “Can we have each entrepreneur like you (Kiran) adopt one city to make it of international standards? CSR spend could be used towards that.”Revathy Ashok, managing trustee at BPAC, echoed Shaw’s concerns, saying: “It is the sad truth, @kiranshaw. When the govt starts lamenting over the g arbage mafia, where does it leave us citizens?”