1. Supreme Court to Address Petition Against Dasara Invitation to Booker Prize Winner Banu Mushtaq
The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition challenging the Karnataka government’s decision to invite acclaimed Booker Prize winner and activist, Banu Mushtaq, to inaugurate the historic Mysuru Dasara festival on September 22, 2025. This invitation has sparked a notable political disagreement between the ruling Congress government and the state’s BJP leadership. Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai agreed to an urgent listing of the case, filed by Bengaluru resident H.S. Gaurav, following oral arguments that a ‘non-Hindu’ was invited to perform an ‘agrahara puja’ at the Chamundeshwari temple as part of the festival. Earlier, a High Court Division Bench had declined to intervene in the state’s decision regarding the writer’s invitation.
2. Bengaluru Yoga Instructor Apprehended in Sexual Assault Case Involving Minor Student
Bengaluru’s RR Nagar police have arrested 55-year-old M. Niranjana Murthy, a prominent yoga teacher and state yoga sports association secretary. He faces allegations of sexually assaulting a minor student multiple times under false promises of career advancement and international travel opportunities. Murthy, who founded and directs Sunshine The Yoga Zone in RR Nagar, has been charged under the POCSO Act. The survivor reported that Murthy first assaulted her in 2023 during a competition trip to Thailand. Following this, she withdrew from competitions and ceased attending the yoga center. She further alleged two more instances of sexual harassment by Murthy in 2024 after rejoining his center.
3. Bengaluru Traffic Police Reinstate Weekday Drunk-Driving Checks to Combat Accidents and Nighttime Crime
To enhance road safety and reduce criminal activities at night, the Bengaluru Traffic Police have reinstated daily drunk-driving (DD) checks throughout the week. Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Karthik Reddy, issued directives in late August to all four traffic divisions, mandating regular checks within their respective areas. Police sources confirm that both inspectors and sub-inspectors are authorized to conduct these checks, with the requirement of at least one woman officer assisting. As part of a pilot program, each division has established a minimum of three checkpoints, with the East division, encompassing the Central Business District, deploying over ten checkpoints.
4. Mangaluru Police Arrest Three in Cattle Theft Case, Animal Rescued
Kankanady police in Mangaluru successfully apprehended three individuals and recovered a cow allegedly stolen from Umesh Alva’s cow shed in Adyar on September 13. The arrested suspects were identified as Shahbaz Ahmed of Adyar Kannur, Mohammed Suhan of Arkula, and Valachil Khader of Adyar. Investigations revealed that Ahmed and Suhan stole the cow and sold it to Khader, who was reportedly preparing to slaughter it for meat in an adjoining shed. Authorities have initiated proceedings under the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cow Preservation Act, aiming to shut down the illegal abattoir.
5. VTU to Introduce Foreign Language Training for Engineering Students via Online Platform
In a strategic move to boost global employment prospects for engineering graduates, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) plans to launch an online platform for teaching foreign languages, including Japanese, German, and French, starting from the 2025-26 academic year. This initiative follows a recent recommendation from M.B. Patil, Minister for Large & Medium Industries, who suggested incorporating Japanese and German as elective courses into the VTU curriculum.