Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, has faced criticism from various journalist associations for her remarks about the journalists of Belgaum, terming them as immature and unintelligent. During a program to honor Chief Minister’s media advisor K.V. Prabhakar, Hebbalkar praised journalists in Udupi district, where she is in charge, as mature, educated, intelligent, and development-oriented, urging local journalists to learn from them.
In response, local journalists passed a resolution condemning the Minister’s statement and demanded a withdrawal and an unconditional apology. They also expressed their intention to file a complaint against Hebbalkar with AICC leadership, KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and district in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi. Some TV journalists recounted past instances of humiliation at the hands of the Minister.
In a regretful response, Hebbalkar clarified that her statement was made with a positive intent, expressing her regret for any unintended offense. She emphasized treating journalists as her brothers, acknowledging their support in her political journey, and clarified that her intention was to encourage a focus on development rather than just politics. Around 50 journalists have signed the resolution.
