Private doctors’ strike claims 12 lives across Karnataka in two days

coastaldigest.com news network
November 15, 2017

Bengaluru, Nov 15: At least twelve deaths were reported from different parts of Karnataka in two days as the patients were unable to get timely care due to the private doctors' agitation. At least four deaths were reported on Monday, the first day of Belagavi Chalo agitation. On Tuesday, eight more patients died for want of treatment.

A 56-year-old panchayat development officer PDO, who suffered a heart attack, died as he could not get medical attention. Gyanappa Budnal of Mukkumpi in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district, who was working as a PDO in Vanaballari of Koppal taluk, complained of chest pain. The officer died as he could not get treatment at a private hospital where he was taken, his family said.

Shekhappa Gyanappa Jakkali, 60, an APMC trader, died of a heart attack at Ilkal in Hungund taluk of Bagalkot district. Jakkali complained of chest pain in the wee hours due to a dip in blood pressure. As the private hospitals were closed due to the strike, he was taken to the government hospital.

Even before medical officer Dr Biradar could examine him, Jakkali breathed his last, hospital sources said.

A three-month-old infant, which was suffering from breathing problems, died as it could not get timely medical care in Hassan.  The victim is Ibrahim, son of Nadeem and Farhana, residents of Siddaiahana Nagar. The baby was suffering from breathing problems for the past four days. The infant was treated at a hospital in Tiptur, where Farhana had gone for her delivery.

As the baby did not recover, it was brought to Hassan. Ibrahim could not get proper treatment as all private hospitals remained closed. The couple took the baby to the district hospital for treatment and returned to Tiptur. But Ibrahim's condition turned critical at night. The baby died when the parents were bringing him to the hospital in Hassan in a bus.

Kallavva Srishail Ambi (12), a resident of Nadi-Ingalgaon village in Athani taluk, Belagavi district. Kallavva, a diabetic, was suffering from abdominal pain. As the girl was about to go unconscious, she was taken to a private hospital, but she did not receive treatment as the doctors are on strike. Kallavva was admitted to the government hospital in Athani, where she died during treatment.

Two deaths were reported from Haveri district. One-and-a-half year-old girl Sayina from Byadagi and 18-year-old Mardan Sab, a PU student from Kaginele near Byadagi also breathed their last due to unavailability of doctors.

Ashok (40) from Jamakhandi and Mahesh Chandu Vaghamore (27) from Athani taluk, who had received injuries in a road mishap breathed their last in the private hospitals as there were no doctors to treat them.

Vaishnavi Jadhav, 9, of Dharwad, who was undergoing treatment for dengue at the Kims Hospital in Hubballi, died on Monday night. She was refused treatment at private hospitals and had to be taken to the Kims Hospital.

Maktoom Husain Charagosti (53) from Badami in Bagalakote, Mallappa Yamanappa Neeralakeri (68) from Muthalageri village in Bagalakote, and Sunanda Belagaunkar (50) from Mudhola died on Monday as they did not get timely treatment.

Meanwhile, the private doctors on Wednesday continued their agitation across the state demanding the withdrawl of the certain provisions in Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill.

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News Network
December 2,2025

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Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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News Network
November 26,2025

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Bengaluru, Nov 26: Karnataka is taking its first concrete steps towards lifting a three-decade-old ban on student elections in colleges and universities. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced Wednesday that the state government will form a small committee to study the reintroduction of campus polls, a practice halted in 1989 following incidents of violence.

Speaking at a 'Constitution Day' event organised by the Karnataka Congress, Mr. Shivakumar underscored the move's aim: nurturing new political leadership from the grassroots.

"Recently, (Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to me and Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) asking us to think about restarting student elections," Shivakumar stated. "I'm announcing today that we'll form a small committee and seek a report on this."

Student elections were banned in Karnataka in 1989, largely due to concerns over violence and the infiltration of political party affiliates into campus life. The ban effectively extinguished vibrant student bodies and the pipeline of young leaders they often produced.

Mr. Shivakumar, who also serves as the Karnataka Congress president, said that former student leaders will be consulted to "study the pros and cons" of the re-introduction.

Acknowledging the history of the ban, he added, "There were many criminal activities taking place back then. We’ll see how we can conduct (student) elections by regulating such criminal activities."

The Deputy CM reminisced about his own journey, which began on campus. He recalled his political activism at Sri Jagadguru Renukacharya College leading to his first Assembly ticket in 1985 at the age of 23. "That's how student leadership was at the time. Such leadership has gone today. College elections have stopped," he lamented, adding that for many, college elections were "like a big movement" where leaders were forged.

The move, driven by the Congress high command's push to cultivate young talent, will face scrutiny from academics and university authorities who have, in the past, expressed concern that the return of polls could disrupt the peaceful academic environment and turn campuses into political battlegrounds.

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district. 

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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