BENGALURU: A social media post by Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw highlighting Bengaluru’s deteriorating civic infrastructure has sparked a political storm, drawing sharp responses from senior Karnataka ministers. Instead of acknowledging what many residents face daily, ministers targeted Shaw, accusing her of “badmouthing” the city that helped her build a global enterprise.
On Monday, Shaw posted on X that an overseas visitor to Biocon questioned Bengaluru’s state: “Why are the roads so bad and why is there so much garbage? Doesn’t the government want to support investment? I’ve just come from China and can’t understand why India can’t get its act together.”
The comment quickly went viral, prompting ministers to defend the government’s efforts. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar urged “collective effort, not constant criticism,” writing on X: “Bengaluru has given identity and success to millions. Yes, challenges exist, but we’re addressing them with focus and urgency. Let’s build Bengaluru together.”
Shaw replied: “It is about collective efforts with urgency and quality. Let’s show how we can fix the city.”
IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge questioned the visitor’s perspective, saying: “I’m not sure which part of Bengaluru they saw. Work is in progress, and infrastructure improvements are ongoing.”
Industries Minister M.B. Patil called Shaw an asset to the state but criticised her post as “not in good taste,” noting: “Bengaluru has given back to her too—it’s mutual. When work is in progress, such tweets are unhelpful.”
He added that the city’s strain stems from rapid migration, with Bengaluru attracting people nationwide while few locals move out.
However, citizens largely sided with Shaw, accusing ministers of being defensive instead of accepting valid feedback. One user wrote: “Why can’t the government take constructive criticism instead of getting offended?”
Opposition leaders also weighed in. Aishwarya, daughter of late Union minister Ananth Kumar, said: “You are right, @kiranshaw ma’am. The Congress government has failed Bengaluru—broken roads, garbage everywhere, and civic neglect.”
Entrepreneur Tejas Lakhani suggested that business leaders adopt cities for development through CSR efforts, while BPAC’s Revathy Ashok echoed Shaw’s concerns: “It’s the sad truth. When the government blames the garbage mafia, where does that leave citizens?”
