Karnataka Minister's racist slur sparks outrage, faces backlash from JD(S) and BJP

Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan found himself embroiled in controversy on Monday after making a racial remark against Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy during a rally in Ramanagara on Sunday. Khan was speaking about the political trajectory of Channapatna Congress candidate, C P Yogeeshwara, who had initially contested as an independent and later joined the BJP. Khan claimed that Yogeeshwara had no choice but to join the BJP due to internal differences within Congress. He further stated that Yogeeshwara refused to join the JD(S) as he considered Kumaraswamy, whom Khan referred to as "Kaaliya Kumaraswamy," more dangerous than the BJP.

The statement immediately triggered a backlash, with the JD(S) accusing Khan of making racially insensitive comments. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the JD(S) expressed its disapproval, stating, "The people of the state will give a fitting response to your words of disrespect and your negative mindset towards people of darker skin colour." The JD(S) went further to question the skin colour of several prominent Congress leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Ministers H C Mahadevappa, Satish Jarakiholi, Priyank Kharge, and K H Muniyappa. This was seen as an attempt by JD(S) to highlight the perceived hypocrisy in Khan’s remarks.

The BJP also condemned Khan’s comments, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju calling the statement racist. Rijiju pointed to an earlier controversial remark made by Sam Pitroda, the Indian Overseas Congress chief, who in May had faced criticism for his comments about the physical appearance of people from different regions of India. Pitroda had stated that South Indians looked like Africans, North Easterners like Chinese, and North Indians like Arabs. Rijiju’s comment underscored the BJP’s position that such remarks were inappropriate for public figures, particularly politicians who should be role models.

In response, Karnataka’s Youth Affairs Minister, Priyank Kharge, condemned Khan’s statement, urging politicians to avoid making racist remarks. He stressed the importance of unity and respect in politics and emphasized that Congress leaders would address the issue internally. Priyank Kharge also suggested that senior party members would take necessary steps regarding Khan’s comments. This controversy comes amid a significant political battle in Karnataka as the Channapatna assembly bypolls approach. C P Yogeeshwara, who had previously been with the Congress, is now contesting as the BJP candidate in a direct contest against Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of HD Kumaraswamy, who is the JD(S) candidate.

The comments made by Khan have added fuel to the ongoing political tensions, as the Congress, JD(S), and BJP all gear up for the crucial bypolls, with the outcome seen as a significant marker for the state’s political landscape. The bypolls are particularly critical as they involve multiple prominent political families, and Khan's comments have only intensified the competition. Yogeeshwara's switch to the BJP has already added to the friction between Congress and the BJP, while JD(S) continues to position itself as a key regional force in Karnataka.