Archive · 14 Aug 2026
BJP MLAs protest Karnataka Cabinet lacking women representation
A group of people from a political party called the BJP held a protest in Karnataka.
They were upset because the state's Cabinet has no women in it.
A Cabinet is a group of important leaders who help run the government.
The protesters said this is the first time in Karnataka's history that the Cabinet has no women.
They believe women should be leaders because they make up about half of the population.
The Chief Minister's party, called Congress, had said a woman would join the Cabinet, but she did not.
The protesters also complained about a man named B. Nagendra becoming a minister.
They say he has been accused of doing something wrong with money meant for a tribal development corporation.
The BJP says it is not against his community, but against choosing someone with corruption allegations.
BJP MLAs and MLCs protested at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru against the Karnataka government for having no women in the Cabinet.
The protest was led by BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.
Congress had announced MLC Gayathri Shantegowda for the lone vacant Cabinet berth, but she was later not allowed to take oath.
Vijayendra said women constitute nearly 50 per cent of the population and called this the first Cabinet in Karnataka's history without women representation.
The BJP also opposed the induction of former minister B. Nagendra, who faces allegations in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam.
- Who
- BJP MLAs and MLCs led by B.Y. Vijayendra, R. Ashoka, and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy
- What
- A protest against the Karnataka government for having no women ministers in the state Cabinet
- When
- Friday
- Where
- Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru
- Why
- Protesters say the government has an anti-women approach and denies women representation despite them constituting nearly 50 per cent of the population
BJP Protesters
Congress-led Karnataka Government
Women's representation in Cabinet
BJP Protesters
Having no women in the Cabinet for the first time in state history is an insult and an anti-women approach, especially after a woman's name was announced and then dropped.
Congress-led Karnataka Government
The government had announced MLC Gayathri Shantegowda for the vacant Cabinet berth, indicating plans for women's representation, though she was later not allowed to take oath.
Induction of B. Nagendra
BJP Protesters
The BJP opposes inducting a person facing corruption allegations in the Valmiki Corporation scam, saying corruption should not be given a caste colour, and would accept him only if fully cleared.
Congress-led Karnataka Government
The government proceeded to induct B. Nagendra into the Cabinet despite the allegations, prompting the BJP's criticism.
- Event
- Protest against Karnataka Cabinet's lack of women ministers
- Location
- Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru
- Date
- Friday
- Chief Minister
- D.K. Shivakumar
- Vacant Cabinet berths
- 1
- Woman candidate announced but not sworn in
- MLC Gayathri Shantegowda
- Protest leaders
- B.Y. Vijayendra, R. Ashoka, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy
- Controversial Cabinet pick
- B. Nagendra (Valmiki Corporation scam allegations)