A remark by Hassan district minister KM Shivalinge Gowda — that there’s “nothing wrong” with citizens voluntarily giving “tips” or an “honorarium” to government officials for timely service, has drawn sharp criticism from the public and the BJP. He made the comment at “Prajaseva Andolana,” a public grievance redressal event held Saturday.
Puneeth, a farmer from Alur taluk attending the meeting to raise a land dispute, pushed back against the minister’s statement directly. He and a group of young attendees questioned why officials, who already receive a salary, should be given tips, asking whether this wasn’t effectively encouraging bribery. As more people joined in support, the meeting descended into chaos.
Sensing the situation escalating, Shivalinge Gowda attempted to clarify his position on the spot, saying he meant that officials shouldn’t extort money, and that his point was about respecting honest workers, not endorsing bribery.
On Sunday, the minister issued a further clarification, saying a person had complained about being asked for a bribe to get work done, and that he had advised the complainant not to pay any money but instead to treat the officer with respect. He maintained that his original comment had been misunderstood.
Deputy Commissioner KS Latha Kumari also stepped in to calm the protesters, saying the minister’s remarks had been misinterpreted and assuring that strict legal action would follow if officials were found demanding bribes for their work.
BJP MLC CT Ravi criticized the minister on social media platform X, pointing out that Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had previously urged citizens to report even a Rs 10 bribe demand directly to him, yet a minister from his own government was now suggesting bribes be given “respectfully.” Ravi remarked that while giving or taking bribes might come naturally to the minister, it wasn’t acceptable to the people of Karnataka, and called on him to withdraw the statement and apologize to the state.
