Bangalore, August 12: Karnataka’s Industries Minister MB Patil took swift action after a group of schoolgirls was found stranded near Mamadapur village in the Babaleshwar taluk. Allegations surfaced that a government bus driver failed to stop for them.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, was captured on video and went viral on social media the following day.
While en route to an event, Patil noticed the girls waiting by the roadside. He stopped his car and approached them. The majority of the students informed the minister that the government bus operating on the Vijayapura-Kilarahatti-Mamadapur route had passed by without stopping, despite seeing them waiting.
The girls recounted that the driver claimed he had no time to stop and drove away, leaving them stranded.
Outraged by the situation, Patil immediately contacted Vijayapura Divisional Controller DA Biradar to question the driver’s conduct. He instructed the official to take action against the driver and suspend him for negligence.
When the official attempted to explain that arrangements would be made to transport the girls, Patil insisted that action must also be taken against the driver.
“I don’t just want arrangements; there must be consequences for the driver,” he emphasized, stating that such incidents are unacceptable.
Describing the incident as shameful, Patil directed the divisional controller to arrange immediate transportation for the students and to personally visit Mamadapur to resolve the issue.
After the phone call, the girls gathered again to express their concerns to the minister. Patil patiently assured them that senior transport officials would arrive on-site, along with his personal secretary, to ensure no future disruptions to bus services for students.
Social media users have praised Patil’s intervention and prompt response to the students’ complaints.
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