Karnataka farmers to join Dec 8 ‘Bharat Bandh’ against farm laws

News Network

December 7, 2020

Bengaluru, Dec 7: Thousands of farmers across Karnataka would join 'Bharat bandh' on December 8 to protest against the 3 controversial farm laws and in support of their repeal, Karnataka Rajya Riatha Sangha president K. Chandreshekar said on Sunday.

"All members of about 300 farmers' organisations will participate in the day-long bandh on Tuesday in cities and towns across the state except in Bengaluru, where it (shutdown) will be observed on Wednesday for logistic reasons," Chandrashekhar told reporters here.

"As all our members will observe Bharat bandh in towns and villages across the state on Tuesday, they will come to Bengaluru on Wednesday to hold a day-long shutdown in protest against the laws and demand their withdrawal," he said.

Extending support to hundreds of farmers in northern states staging protests in Delhi or over 10 days against the laws, Chandrashekar said the ryots in the state were also opposed to the APMC bill and the land reforms bill the BJP government had moved in the state Assembly in September, as these were against farmers' welfare.

A dozen members of the Sangha led by Chandrashekar participated for 3 days last week in the farmers' agitation on the Delhi border with Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Scores of trade associations and labour organisations, opposition Congress and Janata Dal-Secular are extending support to the 2-day shutdown on December 8 and 9 by the farmers in Karnataka.

Chandrashekar said: "About 50,000 farmers and workers will descend on Bengaluru from across the state on Wednesday in buses, trucks and tractors to lay siege on Vidhan Soudha, as it will be in session for passing the bills."

The farmers plan to court arrest if police prevent them from going to Vidhan Soudha due to prohibitory orders in view of the week-long winter session of the legislature from December 7-15.

"The farmers will hold processions, rallies and public meetings at Freedom Park in the city centre against the anti-farmer laws and bills of the central and state governments," said Karnataka farmer organisations union President K. Shanthakumar.

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ruining the agriculture sector in the country, he said the NDA government had failed to fulfil its assurance of implementing the Swaminathan Committee report.

In a related development, the Karnataka Sugarcane Growers' Associations will stage demonstration in the city on Monday to express solidarity with farmers in northern states and support their demand to scrap the anti-farmer laws.

Association' state Organising Secretary A. Devaraj condemned the Delhi Police for using water cannons and tear gas on farmers who were protesting peacefully at the inter-state border over a week ago.

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Mangaluru’s KPT becomes India’s first autonomous govt polytechnic

News Network

January 23,2026

Mangaluru: The Karnataka Government Polytechnic (KPT), Mangaluru, has achieved autonomous status from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), becoming the first government polytechnic in the country to receive such recognition in its 78-year history. The status was granted by AICTE, New Delhi, and subsequently approved by the Karnataka Board of Technical Education in October last year.

Officials said the autonomy was conferred a few months ago. Until recently, AICTE extended autonomous status only to engineering colleges, excluding diploma institutions. However, with a renewed national focus on skill development, several government polytechnics across India have now been granted autonomy.

KPT, the second-largest polytechnic in Karnataka, was established in 1946 with four branches and has since expanded to offer eight diploma programmes, including computer science and polymer technology. The institution is spread across a 19-acre campus.

Ravindra M Keni, the first dean of the institution, told The Times of India that AICTE had proposed autonomous status for polytechnic institutions that are over 25 years old. “Many colleges applied. In the first round, 100 institutions were shortlisted, which was further narrowed down to 15 in the second round. We have already completed one semester after becoming an autonomous institution,” he said. He added that nearly 500 students are admitted annually across eight three-year diploma courses.

Explaining the factors that helped KPT secure autonomy, Keni said the institution has consistently recorded 100 per cent admissions and placements for its graduates. He also noted its strong performance in sports, with the college emerging champions for 12 consecutive years, along with active student participation in NCC and NSS activities.

Autonomous status allows KPT to design industry-oriented curricula, conduct examinations, prepare question papers, and manage academic documentation independently. The institution can also directly collaborate with industries and receive priority funding from AICTE or the Ministry of Education. While academic autonomy has been granted, financial control will continue to rest with the state government.

“There will be separate committees for examinations, question paper setting, boards of studies, and boards of examiners. The institution will now have the freedom to conduct admissions without government notifications and issue its own marks cards,” Keni said, adding that new academic initiatives would be planned after a year of functioning under the autonomous framework.

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