Lagatar24 Desk
Bengaluru: A red carpet rolled out for Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar during their visit to flood-affected areas in Bengaluru triggered widespread public anger on Wednesday, prompting civic officials to hastily remove it. The ceremonial setup in HBR Layout—one of the city’s worst-hit zones—was criticized as grossly insensitive amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Swift action after public backlash
The red carpet was laid out in advance of the leaders’ arrival but was removed under direct orders from the zonal commissioner of East BBMP, who personally oversaw the rollback. “Our sole focus must be on relief and rehabilitation, not optics,” he said. Locals and citizens on social media expressed disbelief over the symbolic gesture, calling it tone-deaf and a display of misplaced priorities.
City on alert as rains continue
The controversy emerged even as Bengaluru continues to reel under persistent rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for the day following intense showers on Tuesday. Many areas remain waterlogged, and traffic disruptions continue across the city.
Tech firms switch to remote work
Several IT and multinational companies advised employees to work from home due to commuting challenges and safety concerns. According to the BBMP, the city recorded an average of 42.7 mm rainfall, while specific areas like RR Nagar reported a record-breaking 150 mm on Monday night—the highest in more than a decade.
