Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

Karnataka Today newsletter: Illegal hoardings, cutouts thrive in Bengaluru despite zero-flex policy, and more

Efforts by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to implement the zero-flex policy in the city are not yielding results on the ground. Flexes, cut-outs and banners continue to frequently reappear in many parts of the city during festivals, political events, private celebrations and other occasions. Erecting them is banned since 2018 after the Karnataka High Court verdict on the same.

The HC, on a few occasions, rapped the BBMP for its failure to implement its order, the latest being in July 2024. Recently, the BBMP has submitted the draft of the BBMP (Advertisement) Bylaws, 2024. The BBMP also informed the court that it has incorporated penal provisions to take action against illegal flexes.

Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has imposed a fee of ₹1,600 for correcting names of students and parents, date of birth and other details in the II PUC marksheet, which has been met with strong opposition from students, parents and student organisations.

The KSEAB has decided to issue revised and printed copies after correcting the errors in the marksheet, and has issued an order charging a fee for this process. However, members of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation say fixing a fee for correction of marksheet affects poor parents and students who are already in financial difficulty.

Street vendor Sarojamma from Bengaluru has a bedridden son she has to tend to. Asked of her belief in God, she takes to singing extempore in Telugu, angry at God as to why he did this to her, lamenting what sin did she commit, and questioning why good people get punished. Interestingly, she questions and is angry with God, but doesn’t reject God. 

Her interview is part of a new podcast series, titled Nelada Nambike, that explores the diversity of everyday practice and beliefs of common people in faith and religion, helmed by academic Janaki Nair, journalist C. G. Manjula and Bahutva Karnataka member Anupama Hegde. The podcast is posted every Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m. and is hosted by Eedina YouTube channel.

Alert Namma Metro staff rescued a man who jumped onto the Namma Metro track while a train was heading towards the Jalahalli station in Bengaluru. According to BMRCL, 49-year-old Anil Kumar Pandey, an ex-air force employee from Bihar, jumped onto the track around 10.25 a.m.