Women waiting for BMTC buses on Mysuru Road. | Photo credit: MURALI KUMAR K
A social media post by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah celebrating the recognition of the state’s Shakti scheme and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation’s (KSRTC) world record has sparked a row after opposition parties alleged that the certifying agency, the London Book of World Records, was disbanded in the UK a month ago.
On 16 October, the Chief Minister announced via a post on X that Karnataka had entered the “global stage with two historic world records” verified by the London Book of World Records. The post claimed that the Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel to women across Karnataka, had achieved the “highest number of free bus rides by women” with 564.10 million rides and that KSRTC had become “the world’s most awarded road transport company” since 1997, with 464 national and international awards.
“Our vision of governance is rooted in social justice, women empowerment and world-class public service. These accolades are a reflection of what can be achieved through inclusive and compassionate policymaking,” the chief minister wrote in a post.
However, the announcement was met with criticism and ridicule from opposition parties and social media users who questioned the credibility of the awarding body. BJP leader and MLC CT Ravi posted on X: “This certificate looks as fake as the Congress government itself!”
The Janata Dal (Secular) joined the attack and said that the British firm London Book of World Records Ltd. (company number 15807885) that issued the certificates “dissolved on July 15, 2025, no office, no operations.” The party added: “They are literally selling packages of gold, silver and platinum records. We thought only their surnames were being borrowed. Now their certificates are being bought as well.”
Following the backlash, the original post was deleted on October 17. By then, screenshots of the certificates and X’s post had already gone viral.
Reacting to the growing controversy, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy issued a detailed explanation defending the achievements of KSRTC and the Shakti scheme while trying to play down the role of the London Book of World Records.
In a statement, Mr Reddy said the accolades mentioned on the Chief Minister’s post were meant “to celebrate Karnataka’s commitment to progressive governance and effective public service delivery” but were “targeted with concerns about the credentials of the awarding organisation”.
He clarified that the achievements listed are factual and verifiable, independent of any third-party certification. “The consistent performance of KSRTC over decades and the success of the Shakti program, which empowers thousands of women daily, is a public record and pride for Karnataka,” the statement said.
Mr. Reddy noted that the London Book of World Records has previously honored several prominent personalities and institutions in India, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Puducherry government.
“This feature was withdrawn only to avoid distracting attention from the substance of these achievements,” he added, stressing that the focus should remain on state welfare outcomes rather than the technical aspects of certification.
“The facts remain unchanged,” he said, adding that Karnataka’s welfare model continues to gain international recognition. He cited the example of UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang, who recently praised Karnataka’s guarantee schemes, including Shakti, for promoting gender equality and inclusive governance.
Published – 17 October 2025 21:45 IST
