Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at his residence in Bengaluru on October 21, 2025. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
In a significant move that suggests a potential ceasefire after a protracted public disagreement, prominent industrialist and Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw paid a visit to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at his Sadashiva Nagar residence on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar later shared details of the meeting on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating, “It was a pleasure to meet Ms. @kiranshaw, entrepreneur and Founder of Biocon, at my residence today. We had an engaging discussion on Bengaluru’s growth, innovation, and the path ahead for Karnataka’s growth story.”
This high-profile meeting has captured considerable attention, particularly as it follows a contentious public exchange between Ms. Shaw and Mr. Shivakumar. The dispute ignited after Ms. Shaw voiced sharp criticism regarding the abysmal state of Bengaluru’s urban infrastructure.
The Social Media Spat Unfolds
The public disagreement began on Monday, October 13, when Ms. Shaw took to her X (Twitter) handle to highlight the city’s dire infrastructure situation. She recounted a conversation with an overseas business visitor to Biocon Park who expressed dismay, asking, “Why are the roads so bad and why is there so much garbage around? Doesn’t the Govt want to support investment? I have just come from China and can’t understand why India can’t get its act together especially when the winds are favourable?”
This critical post quickly triggered strong responses from various state ministers, including IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge and Industries Minister M.B. Patil. Interestingly, Mr. Shivakumar initially adopted a more conciliatory stance, advocating for collective efforts to “build the city together, instead of tearing it down.”
However, the discourse soon shifted into a political battle, with several Congress ministers and party functionaries challenging Ms. Shaw’s perceived silence on broader ‘GST issues.’
On October 15, Ms. Shaw responded to these criticisms on X, stating, “We are in this dire situation because of past Govts failure to act in time. This Government has the opportunity to change this n act fast to fix these decades of deteriorating infrastructure n garbage management.”
This riposte further incensed Mr. Shivakumar, who accused Ms. Shaw of damaging the state’s and nation’s reputation through her social media comments. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, he questioned her past silence: “Where was she for the last 25 years? Bengaluru has made the highest contribution to her growth. Those who criticise must remember how much of land the government has given to them to establish their business in Bengaluru.”
Adding to the day’s diplomatic gestures, Ms. Shaw also extended her Deepavali wishes to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during a separate meeting.