Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s remark that “boys without cars don’t get brides” has sparked controversy and political reactions across the state. The comment, made while defending the proposed tunnel road project in Bengaluru, has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and fueled debate on social media.
The statement came after BJP MP Tejasvi Surya met Shivakumar, urging the state government to cancel the tunnel road project and instead prioritize improvements in mass public transport. Responding to Surya’s request, Shivakumar said the MP had misunderstood the social context behind private vehicle ownership. “Can I stop people from using their own vehicles? Families prefer traveling together in private cars. Today, it’s even becoming difficult for boys without cars to get married,” he said, adding that it was unrealistic to expect citizens to abandon personal transport altogether.
Reacting to the remark, Tejasvi Surya took a jibe at the Deputy Chief Minister, saying, “I had misunderstood the tunnel road project all along. I thought it was meant to solve Bengaluru’s traffic issue, but the Deputy CM has now clarified that it is intended to resolve a social problem. I clearly underestimated its purpose.” Surya also stated that he had proposed alternatives focusing on public transport, but Shivakumar had rejected them.
Bengaluru, often referred to as India’s IT capital, continues to struggle with chronic traffic congestion. While Shivakumar has long maintained that the tunnel road project will provide a lasting solution, critics, including Surya, argue that it could harm the environment and fail to strengthen public transportation. The Deputy CM’s comments have since gone viral, adding to the ongoing political tussle over Bengaluru’s infrastructure planning.