Bengaluru: A social media post by Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, highlighting Bengaluru’s crumbling civic infrastructure, has sparked a heated exchange with senior Karnataka government ministers. Shaw’s post, sharing the reaction of an overseas business visitor who questioned the city’s poor roads and garbage problem, quickly went viral, drawing both support from citizens and criticism from ministers.
Ministers defend Bengaluru’s development
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar urged for “collective effort, not constant criticism,” posting on X (formerly Twitter) that Bengaluru has given opportunities, identity and success to millions, and the focus should be on building the city together. He emphasised ongoing development works, noting, “Instead of tearing Bengaluru down, let’s build it — together. The world sees India through Bengaluru.”
IT & BT Minister Priyank Kharge said the visitor may have had only a limited view of Bengaluru. “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 M.B. Patil called public criticism “not in good taste” and highlighted that Bengaluru’s growth has been fueled by an influx of people from across India, while only about 5% of locals migrate out of Karnataka.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw responds
Shaw responded to Shivakumar, asserting that collective efforts must be paired with urgency and quality. “Let’s show everyone how we can fix the city,” she tweeted, emphasising accountability in addressing civic issues.
Public and opposition reactions
The post ignited widespread discussion among netizens, many of whom supported Shaw and questioned why the government was defensive instead of accepting constructive criticism. Opposition voices, including Aishwarya Kumar, daughter of late Union Minister Ananth Kumar, echoed Shaw’s concerns, stating that the Congress government under Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar has failed Bengaluru, citing broken roads, garbage, and neglected civic duties.
Entrepreneurs and civic leaders also weighed in. Tejas Lakhani suggested that “entrepreneurs like Kiran could adopt cities to elevate them to international standards through CSR initiatives,” while Revathy Ashok, managing trustee at BPAC, said the government’s lament over the garbage mafia leaves citizens frustrated.
Conclusion
The incident underscores the growing tension between Bengaluru’s civic realities and political narratives, highlighting how public feedback on infrastructure and governance is increasingly shaping debates around urban management in India’s IT capital.