Bengaluru: Opposition JD(S) and BJP demanded Monday the removal of Karnataka housing and waqf minister Zameer Ahmad Khan for referring to Union minister HD Kumaraswamy as "kaalia", a racial slur for dark-skinned people, while campaigning for Channapatna assembly constituency bypolls Sunday night.
The backlash prompted Khan to clarify that he never intended to hurt former CM Kumaraswamy. "I have always called Kumaraswamy ‘kariyanna' (brother with a dark complexion in Kannada) out of affection, just as he has always called me ‘kulla' (short statured). Yesterday's reference was made purely out of habit, not as a racial slur," the minister said. He even referered to Kumaraswamy's father and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda his ‘political guru.'
Zameer made the controversial remark during an election campaign in the high-profile Channapatna assembly constituency while delivering his speech in Urdu and urging voters to support the Congress candidate, CP Yogeshwara.
Yogeeshwara is in a direct contest in the Channapatna assembly bypoll against Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy who is contesting as an NDA candidate on the JD(S) ticket.
"Yogeshwara had started his political career from our party (Congress). However, due to differences, he joined BJP. He was contemplating joining JD(S). However, considering that ‘Kaalia Kumaraswamy' is more dangerous than BJP, he did not join the JD(S)," Zameer said.
In response, JD(S) posted on X: "What is the colour of Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress president), who is a Kannadiga? What is the colour of Priyank Kharge (Kharge's son)? What is the colour of DK Suresh (deputy CM DK Shivakumar's brother)?"
BJP condemned Khan's remark, with party functionaries accusing Congress of fostering divisions. Union minister for parliamentary affairs, Kiren Rijiju in a post on 'X' said, "This is a racist remark, same as Rahul Gandhi's adviser saying South Indians look like Africans, North East as Chinese, North Indians as Arabs."
Khan, a former member of the JD(S), at one time held Kumaraswamy in high regard and played a key role in helping him become CM in 2006. However, after Kumaraswamy's resignation from the position, the two drifted apart due to differences over business and political issues, leading Khan to join the Congress.
Khan further accused Kumaraswamy of wooing Muslims during election season while betraying them on other occasions. He also played the audio of the purported statement of Kumaraswamy where he is heard saying, "My politics is not dependent on Muslim votes. I am making this clear. I don't need hijab or pajaab."
The minister asked the audience, "Kumaraswamy says he does not want hijab or pajaab but he wants Muslim votes. Will you vote for him?" He said the former CM is under the impression that he can buy Muslim votes.