Diwali gift controversy
Controversial Diwali Gift: Maharashtra Temple Employees Given Chicken Masala Despite Religious Vegetarian Practices
Oct 18, 2025 02:03 pm CST
Temple employees at Maharashtra's sacred Vitthal temple in Pandharpur received chicken masala packets as Diwali gifts from their outsourcing company BVG, sparking widespread outrage among devotees, particularly the vegetarian Warkaris sect. The incident highlights a significant cultural insensitivity during India's most important festival traditionally celebrating light over darkness.
HD Kumaraswamy Criticizes Bengaluru's B-Khata to A-Khata Conversion Scheme as Financial Burden on Citizens
Oct 17, 2025 10:02 am CST
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has strongly criticized Karnataka government's new B-Khata to A-Khata property conversion scheme in Bengaluru, calling it "extortion" that could cost property owners Rs 2-8 lakh for standard plots. While the government frames it as a one-time settlement and "Diwali gift," Kumaraswamy argues it places excessive financial burden on middle-class families who have faithfully paid property taxes, potentially generating Rs 15,000 crore for the state government.