Blue Whale Challenge: Bengaluru sixth-most curious about the deadly game
What's the story
India is so curious about the "Blue Whale Challenge" that seven of its cities featured on the list of top 10 global cities searching for the deadly game. According to Google Trends, Bengaluru with 54% surge in Blue Whale-related searches was ranked sixth. Kolkata topped the list while Guwahati, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, and Howrah were also on it. Tap in for more Bengaluru news!
Modi Garden
Bengaluru: Army erects temporary structure near Modi Garden prayer hall
The Army erected a tent on the disputed premises of a 102-year-old prayer hall in Bengaluru's Modi Garden locality prohibiting locals' entry and creating tension. What worsened the situation was the messages on social media and WhatsApp that Army was demolishing the prayer hall. However, authorities decided Army can't erect a structure and shall maintain the status-quo as directed by Karnataka HC in 2011.
Right to Privacy
Why has SC not struck down Section-377: Gay rights activist
The recent Supreme Court ruling on "Right to Privacy" stated, "privacy at its core the preservation of personal intimacies" including sexual orientation. LGBTI community saw this as a ray of hope in its fight against IPC Section-377, which criminalizes homosexuality. However, gay rights activist Ashok Row Kavi warned against rejoicing as SC only gave a progressive definition of privacy and didn't strike down Section-377.
Bengaluru
Karnataka: 500 college staffers ordered to return "inadvertently paid" arrears
Karnataka's Collegiate Education Department asked nearly 500 college faculty members in the state to surrender the arrears they were "inadvertently paid" during 1 Jan'06-31 Mar'10. It directs those appointed after 1 Jan'06 to return the arrears withdrawn by them under UGC pay-scale revision as they were ineligible for it. They have to pay sums varying between Rs. 40,000-1,50,000 to the government before 1 Sep'17.
Kaval Byrasandra
Kannada activists protest against Indira Canteens
Lambasting the Congress government in Karnataka, pro-Kannada activists protested against the Indira Canteens in Bengaluru. They alleged the government is building the canteen in Bengaluru's Kaval Byrasandra by demolishing a women's tailoring coaching center; the site was reportedly meant for a road expansion project. They said the government is also ignoring the locals as no Kannadiga was employed in these canteens.
Jayanagar III Block
Bengaluru: Manipuri housekeeping staffer brutally attacked by colleagues
Three employees of Empire Restaurant in Bengaluru's Jayanagar III Block were arrested for assaulting their 32-year-old Manipuri colleague on two consecutive days. The victim, reportedly working in the housekeeping department, was brutally thrashed by his colleagues, including Operations Manager Lokmath after he was caught smoking on the restaurant's terrace. The victim, currently being treated for his injuries, alleged racial discrimination by the colleagues.