'Kannadigas are not intolerant': CM condemns Air Force officers' road rage

A recent road rage incident in Bengaluru's CV Raman Nagar involving Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose and a local resident, Vikas Kumar, has escalated into a broader controversy, drawing significant public attention and sparking debates over regional sensitivities and conduct.

On 21 April 2025, Bose and his wife, Squadron Leader Madhumita Dutta, were en route the airport when they encountered Vikas Kumar, a call centre employee. An altercation ensued over apparently traffic etiquette, during which Bose alleged that Kumar verbally abused them in Kannada and physically assaulted him upon noticing a DRDO sticker on the couple’s vehicle.

Bose shared a video online, appearing injured and expressing distress over the incident, stating, "This is what Karnataka has become... God help us."

Now, chief minister Siddaramaiah himself has instructed the commissioner of police to take appropriate legal action against the individuals involved — irrespective of their position or rank.

The #RoadRage in #Bengaluru case:

D Devaraj, DCP East Bengaluru, says, "... This is not a case related to any language or reason. This is very clear from the facts and evidence collected from the morning. It is a clear-cut case of road rage. Both of them could have avoided this.… pic.twitter.com/2oX7wCLlmy

— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) April 21, 2025

But was it really road rage and misplaced Kannadiga pride-turned-parochialism as the army couple implied?

Subsequent investigations, starting with CCTV footage and bystander videos, revealed a more complex scenario.

A story, a history, a narrative?

The footage certainly showed both parties engaging in physical aggression — and it seems to be Bose who is initiating contact, pushing and grabbing Kumar, leading to a mutual scuffle.

Alt News editor Mohammed Zubair was one of those who noted that Squadron Ldr Dutta was repeatedly heard calling out ‘How are you driving?’, before Wing Commander Bose went over and hit Vikas Kumar — who then retaliated, saying "Why did you hit me?!" and hitting the pilot on the head, which left him bleeding as his video says.

So was the DRDO conversation made up? Was there actual abuse in Kannada? Or were the ‘locals’ closing ranks against the outsider?

There is a claim in the media that the IAF officer was brutally beaten bybthe Swiggy delivery boy. Here in th CCTV footage, you can clearly see that the IAF fighter pilot Wg Cdr Shiladitya Bose brutally beating and punching the delivery boy. The eye witnesses claim that it was a… pic.twitter.com/qG45XGqysP

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 21, 2025

According to Bose’s video statement with bloodied visage:

"A bike came from behind and stopped our car... the guy started abusing me in Kannada. When they saw the DRDO sticker on my car and said 'You DRDO people', and they abused my wife and I couldn't bear it. The moment I got out of my car, the biker hit me with a key on my forehead, and there was blood."

"I stood there, shouting, 'This is how you defend people whom we defend you, treating someone like this from the army, air force and navy'. Surprisingly, more people came and started abusing us. The man picked a stone and tried to hit my car, and it hit my head... this is my condition."

"This is what Karnataka has become, seeing the truth, the reality...I couldn't believe it. God help us. God give me the power not to retaliate. Tomorrow, if law and order don't help us, I will retaliate," the officer said in the video.

Dutta — she was the one who was driving — backed him up, claiming the biker blocked their car and attacked her husband with a stone.

However, Kumar's mother Jyothi — and Vikas himself — tell a far different story. And this story is backed up by local CCTV evidence!

According to Jyothi, her son was not just beaten by the officer but bitten and thrown on to the road. Further, she alleged, the couple tried to destroy his mobile phone.

Another loophole in the couple's story? Bose in his video claims he was chased by a group of Kannada-speaking bike riders. CCTV footage shows Kumar was alone. Yes, bystanders seem to gather and enter the fracas — but none seem to be companions of Kumar’s as such.

Full video (Video 8) : Biker overtakes, the lady shouts, Biker stops to argue, the lady keeps saying, 'How r u driving', IAF guy drags the vehicle & hits him First. Biker responded by hitting him on his head, listen to the biker say- 'Why you hit me'). pic.twitter.com/XCmW9h4t2H

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 22, 2025

Deputy commissioner of police (East) Devraj D. also clarified that the incident was a case of road rage, not rooted in linguistic or regional bias.

Both Bose and Kumar have filed complaints against each other, meanwhile.

Bose faces charges including attempted murder, while Kumar has been arrested for his involvement as well.

The incident has ignited discussions on social media, with many netizens criticising Bose's actions and others concerned over burgeoning ‘regional pride’ tensions.

The sensational incident and the ‘viral video’ have been much shared over the airwaves by media agencies too.

Enter CM Siddaramaiah today, with a long statement and appeal:

"The state government is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and is committed to ensuring justice for the victim," said Siddaramaiah.

In connection with a recent incident in CV Raman Nagar, Bengaluru, Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose assaulted a Kannadiga, Vikas Kumar, following a minor vehicle-related matter. Subsequently, he made unwarranted and derogatory remarks about Karnataka and Kannadigas on social media,…

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 22, 2025

In a post on X, Siddaramaiah said, “Kannadigas are proud of their mother tongue, but they are not parochial or intolerant. It is not in our culture to attack or abuse others over linguistic matters.

“Karnataka has a long and proud tradition of embracing people from across the country, treating them with respect, and accepting them as one of our own. The inclusive spirit of this land is well-documented in history.”

Siddaramaiah urged all Kannadigas not to succumb to provocation or emotion and maintain peace.

"It is deeply regrettable that certain national media outlets, neglecting their responsibility and professional ethics, have amplified a baseless accusation by one individual, thereby casting aspersions on the dignity of the entire state. This has caused pain and anguish to every Kannadiga," Siddaramaiah said.

Authorities say they are continuing to investigate the incident, analysing multiple video recordings and statements from both parties.

The Indian Air Force has not yet released an official statement regarding the matter.