A social media post by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah celebrating world record recognitions for the state’s Shakti Scheme and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) kicked off a row after opposition parties alleged that the certifying agency, the London Book of World Records, had been dissolved months earlier in the United Kingdom.
On October 16, the Chief Minister announced through a post on X that Karnataka had entered “the global stage with two historic world records” certified 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 “largest number of free bus rides availed by women” with 564.10 crore journeys, and that KSRTC had become “the most award-winning road transport corporation in the world” with 464 national and international honours since 1997.
“Our governance vision is rooted in social justice, women’s empowerment, and world-class public service. These recognitions are a reflection of what inclusive and compassionate policymaking can achieve,” the Chief Minister wrote in the 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 C.T. Ravi posted on X: “This certificate looks as fake as the Congress government itself!”
The Janata Dal (Secular) joined the attack, posting that the U.K. firm London Book of World Records Ltd. (Company No. 15807885), which issued the certificates, “was dissolved on July 15, 2025, no office, no operations.” The party added, “They literally sell Gold, Silver & Platinum record packages. We thought only their surname was borrowed. Now even their certificates are bought.”
Following the backlash, the original post was deleted on October 17. By then, screenshots of the certificates and the X post had already gone viral.
In response to the growing controversy, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy issued a detailed clarification defending the achievements of KSRTC and the Shakti Scheme, while seeking to downplay the role of the London Book of World Records.
In his statement, Mr. Reddy said that the recognitions mentioned in the Chief Minister’s post were intended “to celebrate Karnataka’s commitment to progressive governance and efficient public service delivery,” but were “targeted with concerns about the credentials of the awarding organisation”.
He clarified that the achievements cited are factual and verifiable, independent of any third-party certification. “KSRTC’s consistent performance over decades and the success of the Shakti Scheme empowering lakhs of women daily are matters of public record and pride for Karnataka,” the statement read.
Mr. Reddy noted that the London Book of World Records had previously honoured several prominent personalities and institutions in India, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and the Government of Puducherry.
“The post was withdrawn solely to avoid distraction from the substance of these accomplishments,” he added, stressing that the focus should remain on the State’s welfare outcomes rather than the technicalities of certification.
“The facts remain unchanged,” he said while adding that Karnataka’s welfare model continues to gain appreciation internationally. He cited the example of United Nations General Assembly President Philemon Yang, who had recently lauded Karnataka’s guarantee schemes, including Shakti, for advancing gender equity and inclusive governance.
Published – October 17, 2025 09:45 pm IST
