KPCC Loyal Workers Forum Demands Greater Representation, Announces Hunger Strike

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Bengaluru, March 7: The KPCC Loyal Workers Forum has issued a strong appeal to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) leadership, urging them to advise Karnataka ministers and MLAs against making public statements against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar.

Expressing deep concern over the internal democracy of the Congress party, the forum emphasized the need to prevent senior leaders from damaging the party’s image through public criticism.

Key Demands of the Forum:

1. Discipline Among Leaders: The forum has called for party unity, urging ministers and MLAs to refrain from public criticism of the state leadership.


2. Welfare Fund for Workers: It has requested the CM and KPCC president to establish a workers’ welfare fund in banks to support financially struggling party workers.


3. Representation in Government and Party: The forum demanded that senior Congress leaders and grassroots workers be considered for appointments in boards and corporations.


4. Memorial for Devaraj Urs: It has urged the state government to build a grand memorial at the late leader’s residence in Sadashivanagar.


5. “One Post, One Family” Rule: The forum has demanded the implementation of this principle to prevent multiple positions being given to members of the same family.


6. Democratic Values in Leadership: Criticizing symbolic or inactive office bearers, the forum has urged the AICC to ensure meaningful leadership roles.


7. Hunger Strike for Social Justice: Announcing a statewide agitation, the forum has decided to stage a hunger strike in front of the KPCC office in the second week of March, demanding justice for senior leaders and grassroots workers.


8. District-Level Mobilization: Plans are underway to organize similar protests across Karnataka to push for greater recognition of loyal party workers.



The forum has also appealed to the CM and KPCC president to convene a meeting with senior leaders and grassroots workers for discussions on these issues.

Speaking on behalf of the forum, L.R. Ananth, President of the KPCC Loyal Workers Forum and former Chairman of the Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation Ltd., stated that loyal party workers are not “bonded laborers” and must be given their due recognition in both the party and government.

With growing discontent among grassroots workers, the upcoming hunger strike is expected to intensify pressure on the Congress leadership in Karnataka.

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HDFC Life Insurance Job Scam: Thousands Duped, Police Allegedly Shielding Accused

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Bangalore: A massive job scam involving HDFC Life Insurance and HDFC Bank has come to light, where thousands of job seekers were allegedly deceived under false promises of employment. Despite a court-ordered FIR (Crime No. 0077/2024) against top officials of HDFC Life, the Bangalore Police have failed to take action, allegedly protecting the accused.

The Scam: Fake Jobs, IRDAI Agent IDs Misused

According to the complaint filed by victim Liji Reginold, an individual named Vinay K, a terminated employee from Kotak Life, has been illegally operating from multiple HDFC Life branches in Bangalore. Over 5,000 candidates were reportedly interviewed, their documents collected, and they were made to write IRDAI certification exams under the pretext of securing jobs. However, their agent IDs were allegedly misused by HDFC Life managers to claim commissions without their knowledge.

Top Executives Named in FIR

Following a Private Complaint Registration (PCR) at the Magistrate Court (KABC030021122024), the court ordered an FIR under IPC Sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 504, and 506. The 10 accused include:

Vibha Padalkar (CEO, HDFC Life)

Suresh Badami (MD, HDFC Life)

Sidhwa Kushru (VP, HDFC Life)

Uzma Rushdi (GRO, HDFC Life)

Nishtha T (Fraud Investigation Officer, HDFC Life)

Mallesh P (Associate Regional Head, HDFC Life)

Ajay Kumar (Sr Branch Manager, HDFC Life)

Kedarnath Mathapthy (Sr Sales Head, HDFC Life)

Daniel Castro (Agency Business Partner, HDFC Life)

Vinay K (Main Accused, Former Kotak Life Employee)


Police Allegedly Shielding the Accused

Despite the FIR, the investigating officer, Salima Munavally of Mico Layout Police Station (BTM 2nd Stage), has failed to record statements or collect evidence. The main accused, Vinay K, is out on bail, while seven others have secured an interim stay (CRLP 3069/2024). Two accused remain under FIR but have not been questioned.

Liji Reginold claims she has repeatedly escalated the issue to senior police officials, including the DGP, Commissioner, and Home Minister, but no action has been taken. She alleges that the police are deliberately delaying the investigation to protect the accused and suppressing the case from public and media attention.

Victims Demand Justice

With the main case running in the lower Magistrate Court, the accused are not appearing for trial, and the police have not submitted the final report even after a year. Emails to the Chief Minister, Deputy CM, and Law & Order ministers have gone unanswered.

Victims are now seeking media support to expose the scam and demand action against corporate fraud and police negligence.

Advocate Syed Jaffer Mohiyuddin, representing the victims, has urged authorities to intervene and ensure justice is served.

For further details, contact:

Advocate Syed Jaffer Mohiyuddin: +91 8123111458

Liji Reginold: +91 9880510310


This case raises serious concerns about corporate fraud, regulatory loopholes, and law enforcement failures in Karnataka. Will the government and police take action, or will the accused escape accountability?



City Today News 9341997936

Star Air Appoints Shilpa Bhatia as Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer

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Bengaluru, March 6, 2025: Star Air has announced the appointment of Ms. Shilpa Bhatia as its Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer (CCMO), effective March 1, 2025. A seasoned aviation professional, Ms. Bhatia brings extensive expertise in commercial strategy, sales, and revenue management, having held leadership roles in several major airlines.

Ms. Bhatia previously served as Chief Sales and Revenue Officer and later as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at SpiceJet, where she played a key role in the airline’s commercial growth. She also led sales and revenue functions at IndiGo and held senior positions at Sahara Airlines, Amadeus, and GMG Airlines, contributing to her vast industry experience.

Commenting on her appointment, Simran Singh Tiwana, CEO of Star Air, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Bhatia to our leadership team. Her deep understanding of the aviation industry and strategic vision will be invaluable as we expand our network and enhance commercial operations to serve our passengers better.”

With its growing footprint in the Indian aviation sector, Star Air aims to strengthen its commercial and marketing strategies under Ms. Bhatia’s leadership, marking a significant step in the airline’s expansion plans.

City Today News 9341997936

Ravikumar Kashi’s Exhibition We Don’t End at Our Edges to Open at MAP, Bengaluru

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Bengaluru, March 6, 2025: The Museum of Art & Photography (MAP), Bengaluru, is set to unveil an immersive exhibition by Bengaluru-based artist Ravikumar Kashi, titled We Don’t End at Our Edges. The exhibition, running from March 8 to June 15, 2025, explores the transformative nature of paper, pushing beyond its traditional role to become a medium of language, memory, and human connection.

Kashi, known for his experimental approach to materials, engages deeply with the Kannada script, not merely as a means of communication but as a symbolic representation of relationships and cultural permeability. Through intricate sculptural forms and textural compositions, he reimagines letters from the Kannada alphabet, turning them into metaphors that challenge conventional notions of language and boundaries.

“I work with paper, not on paper,” Kashi explains, emphasizing his innovative artistic process. His works in this exhibition blend materiality, permeability, and language, inviting viewers to experience the fluidity of human interactions. His sculptural pieces, illuminated in a way that enhances their delicate textures, create a visual interplay of light and shadow—reminiscent of microscopic paper fibres.

The exhibition promises to be a thought-provoking experience, blurring the lines between material and meaning, language and identity. We Don’t End at Our Edges will be open to the public at MAP, Bengaluru, from March 8, 2025.

For more information, contact: Sneha Bennurakar at sneha.bennurakar@map-india.org.

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Sri Raghavendra Tirtha Gurusarvabhouma’s 430th Birth Anniversary “Laksha Pushparchane” (Offering of One Lakh Flowers)

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Bengaluru: At the Nanjanagudu Sri Raghavendra Swamy Math located in Jayanagar 5th Block, Bengaluru, under the order of His Holiness Sri 1008 Sri Subudhendra Tirtha Sripadangalavaru, and led by Sri R.K. Vadindracharya, the senior administrator of the Math, a grand celebration of Sri Raghavendra Swamy’s Vardhanti Utsava (birth anniversary) was held. The program included Phala Panchamrita Abhishekam (ritualistic bathing with fruit and five sacred substances) to Sri Gururaya’s Brundavana (tomb) and a special “Laksha Pushparchane” (offering of one lakh flowers) with Ashtottara recitation.

The “Pushparchane” was performed by Sri Krishna Gundacharya, the Dharmadhikari of the Math, and the priests Ramachandracharya and Krishnacharya. Sri Nandakishoracharya, the priest of the Math, provided this information. Following this, a concluding program of “Sri Raghavendra Vijaya” discourse was given by Dr. Venkatanarasimhacharya. The idol of Sri Prahlada Raja was placed on a golden throne, and Guru Padapooja (worship of the Guru’s feet), Kanakabhisheka (golden anointing), and Mahamangalarati (grand final ritual) were performed by the Math.

Sankalpa (resolutions) were made for the devotees and service performers, and Sheshavastra (sacred cloth), Sri Guru Raya’s Paduke (footwear), Phala Mantrakshate (fruit and sacred rice) were distributed as Prasad (blessed offering). On this occasion, special Annasantarpane (mass feeding) was arranged for over 20,000 devotees who visited the shrine. The Prasad distribution was conducted with excellent arrangements and the cooperation of volunteers and staff. Devotees, service performers, dignitaries, and others received the Tirtha Prasada, Phala Mantrakshate, and received the blessings of Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy.

City Today News 9341997936