• By Nidhi Giri
  • Sat, 22 Mar 2025 01:01 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently talked about the nightlife and pub culture in Bengaluru, the primary IT hub in India. Speaking in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Shivakumar expressed support for allowing businesses to remain open for longer hours, hinting at keeping standalone pubs in Bengaluru open till 1 am. He called the current 11.30 pm deadline a tool for "harassment" by law enforcement agencies.

"Bengaluru needs to be lively and have a thriving nightlife. We have techies and IT-BT professionals working late into the night and need a place where they can unwind," Shivakumar said.

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‘Will Review Restrictions On Standalone Pubs’: DK Shivakumar

"The excise minister (RB Timmapur) will only state what the rules suggest. But I agree that this has become nothing more than a harassment technique for law enforcement agencies," Shivakumar said.

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He assured the House that he, along with home minister G Parameshwara and Timmapur, would review the restriction on standalone pubs. Before making the statement, Shivakumar was seen discussing the issue with Parameshwara to finalize the government’s stance. This is not the first time Shivakumar has advocated for extended nightlife in Bengaluru and Mangaluru, citing its potential to boost tourism and attract global businesses.