Bharatiya Janata Party MP and BJYM president Tejasvi Surya was briefly detained on Monday near Jayanagar Metro Station in Bengaluru, after he attempted to stage a fresh protest against the proposed hike
in Namma Metro fares.
The detention came a day after Surya had been served a police notice for holding a demonstration at the metro station without prior permission.
Despite the warning, he returned to the area with party workers, carrying what his supporters with empty trunks, as a symbol of what they alleged was the state government’s weak financial position and the growing burden on commuters.
Speaking to reporters amid the protest, Surya slammed the Karnataka government, saying it was “shameful” that authorities were detaining protesters instead of addressing infrastructure issues and the rising cost of public transport.
“We are asking for affordable public transport,” he said, claiming that the proposed fare hike had been put on hold for the second time due to pressure from the Union government.
He also demanded that the state release a white paper detailing Karnataka’s financial condition.
After being released, Surya took to X, asserting that his arrest would not silence him.
He accused the Congress-led government of targeting him for “exposing the truth” and alleged that the state’s finances were in poor shape, forcing citizens to shoulder higher metro fares and everyday expenses.
“Arresting me, won’t silence me! Shameful that the Congress government arrested me for exposing the truth: That this is a ‘Khali Trunk’ Govt. That Karnataka’s finances are broken, and citizens are paying the price through rising Metro fares and soaring costs,” he wrote.
In his post, he called for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to present a white paper during the Budget and answer questions on why Karnataka’s finances were weak, why public transport was becoming unaffordable, and why prices were rising.
He further argued that restoring financial support to the metro system would help bring fares down.
Arresting me, won’t silence me!
Shameful that the Congress government arrested me for exposing the truth: That this is a ‘Khali Trunk’ Govt. That Karnataka’s finances are broken, and citizens are paying the price through rising Metro fares and soaring costs.
No more excuses.… pic.twitter.com/LABs6uJwBR
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) February 9, 2026
BENGALURU METRO FARE HIKE ROW
Surya blamed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the proposed hike, citing a year-old social media post in which the Chief Minister had directed a reduction in metro fares.
Surya questioned how Siddaramaiah could have earlier ordered a revision if he now claims the state government has no authority to increase fares.
His comments followed a Karnataka Congress post accusing BJP MPs of hypocrisy over their stand on the issue.
Surya also alleged that the state government repeatedly asked the Fare Fixation Committee to raise prices and had proposed a five per cent increase, which he said would further burden commuters.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, however, has maintained that no one sought his opinion on the hike, noting that the committee was headed by a Union secretary.
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announced on February 8 that it had put the proposed annual fare revision on hold until further orders.
The corporation clarified that its February 5 media release, which had proposed zone-wise increases of Rs 1 to Rs 5 from February 9, would be reviewed by its board before any final decision.
Surya said Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar instructed officials to temporarily pause the hike and assured a review of anomalies in the Fare Fixation Committee, including the possibility of constituting a new panel if the state government requested it.
Union Steel and Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy blamed the Karnataka government for the fare issue, alleging that it was pressing ahead despite the Centre’s objections and later shifting responsibility.
Reiterating its position, BMRCL said it remained committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable metro services to Bengaluru’s commuters, and that the final decision on fares would be communicated after its board completed a review.
