What began as a routine road-rage incident in East Bengaluru spiraled into a controversial language and regional debate after Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose alleged he was abused in Kannada and assaulted without provocation.
The confrontation occurred around 6:20 AM on Monday, when Bose and his wife, Squadron Leader Madhumita Dutta, were en route to Kempegowda International Airport. As per Madhumita’s complaint, a biker nearly collided with their car on Old Madras Road.
Bose, seen bleeding in a widely circulated video, claimed he restrained himself despite the aggression, saying, “God gave me the power not to retaliate.” He further added, “This is what Karnataka has become,” fueling backlash online and sparking debates around regional hostility and language discrimination.
However, after thorough analysis of CCTV footage, police uncovered a surprising truth—Bose was the aggressor, seen physically assaulting and shoving the biker. This contradicted his public statements and flipped the narrative.
Deputy Commissioner D. Devaraj clarified that this was a “clear-cut case of road rage,” not a language-based conflict. He urged the public not to misinterpret the incident or vilify communities.
The biker has since been arrested for his involvement, even as questions now loom over Bose’s misleading claims and the power of perception in viral social media posts.
The investigation is ongoing.