Hair-raising politics: BJP critiques Karnataka education minister’s 'unruly' hair

BENGALURU: Primary and secondary education minister Madhu Bangarappa’s MS Dhoni-like hairstyle has drawn criticism, with BJP functionaries making pointed comments at his long, unruly mop and even offering to pay for haircuts. The row comes in the wake of another where the minister was trolled for admitting on a public platform that he struggles to read Kannada fluently.
The issue gained further traction when his brother, actorpolitician Kumar Bangarappa of BJP, questioned his educational qualifications. While the minister claims he is a graduate, his brother staunchly disputes this. Criticising his hairstyle, BJP state president BY Vijayendra and son of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa first mocked the minister, saying, “The education department shapes the future of students.
If the education minister visits a school, we must ask him to first comb his hair neatly.” Madhu responded by retorting, “Let him deal with his own destiny. If Vijayendra has the time, let him come and cut my hair himself. He still seems to be under the illusion that he is the chief minister’s son.”
‘Model for students’
Vijayendra later claimed his remarks were aimed at the falling standards of the state’s education sector.
“Parents send their children to school neatly dressed, expecting them to learn both education and discipline,” he said. “They desire the same from teachers. While hairstyle is a personal matter, it is widely believed that heads of certain departments should set an example for children.” He went on to say, students with unkempt hair were traditionally disciplined at school, and teachers maintained a manicured appearance.
“While this practice persists in rural areas, it is less common in urban regions,” Vijayendra said. “Certain positions, professions, and departments demand specific standards, reflecting the adage ‘humility is the ornament of education.” Yet, at a press conference on Tuesday, he again raked up the issue saying, “If it is a money issue, I will tell our Yuva Morcha to pay for his haircut every month.
Let him get a haircut and be neat from now on.” Madhu hit back, saying BJP, which commented on Congress state president DK Shivakumar’s beard during the 2023 assembly polls, should note that its strength in the assembly was reduced to just 66 seats in those polls. “Now, BJP which has commented on my hairstyle may end up getting just six of the 25 seats it won in Karnataka in the last Lok Sabha election,” he said.
‘Kalam had long hair too’
He also wondered why BJP members were mute on former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s hairstyle or even Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unkempt beard during the Covid-19 pandemic. While insisting his hair is “good and long”, Madhu emphasised that what was more important is his intellect and dedication to addressing issues.
“My father S Bangarappa [former CM] taught me to do good things in life. He is my biggest inspiration. I don’t care what Vijayendra or other BJP functionaries think about my hairstyle,” he said. BJP also took exception to Bangarappa’s claims that he could not get his hair cut since “hairdressers were busy”. State BJP OBC Morcha president Raghu R Kautilya said such remarks were an insult to the community. However, Madhu said his remarks were not aimed at the community