india π Protests erupt over Karnataka cabinet expansion snub
Protesters took to the streets after the Karnataka cabinet expansion decisions were announced. Supporters of MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar blocked the Hirebagewadi-Savadatti state highway because she was denied a ministerial berth. The protests intensified after Hampanagouda Badarli was also left out of the cabinet on August 3, 2026. Protesters specifically blamed senior Congress leaders, like Siddaramaiah, for these exclusions. Following the unrest, police had to intervene when one worker attempted self-immolation during the demonstrations. π