Karnataka minister BZ Zameer's racist remarks against HD Kumaraswamy sparks controversy

A political controversy has erupted over Karnataka minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan's alleged racist remarks against Union minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy. Mr Kumaraswamy's party has hit back at Mr Khan and demanded that the Congress government sack him from the Cabinet.

The leader issued this comment while talking about Channapatna Congress candidate CP Yogishwar, who had joined the BJP but recently returned to the Congress.

“Due to some differences in our party (Congress), he contested the election as an independent. He had no option but to join BJP. He was not ready to join JD(S) because 'Kalia Kumaraswamy' was from BJP. Were more dangerous.” Now he (Yogishwar) is back home,” the state minister said.

“Kaliya” is a racist slur for people with dark skin.

Mr Yogeeshwar is contesting the Channapatna Assembly bypoll against Mr Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is contesting as an NDA candidate on a JD(S) ticket.

The JD(S) termed Mr Khan's remarks as “racist” and tried to find out the color of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Ministers HC Mahadevappa, Satish Jarakiholi, Priyank Kharge and KH Muniyappa.

The Nation strongly condemns Zameer Ahmed's derogatory and racist remarks against HD Kumaraswamy. This type of hateful language is a symbol of the new degradation in political discourse and has no place in a civilized society. We demand accountability from the leaders who elect… https://t.co/teH4kZbzmN

– Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) 11 November 2024

Calling it a “new low in political discourse”, JD(S) posted on Twitter, “Immediately dismiss the person with such low mentality from the cabinet”.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiran Rijiji also condemned Mr Khan's remarks. “I strongly condemn Congress Minister Zameer Ahmed calling Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri Kumaraswamy 'Kalia Kumaraswamy'. This is a racist comment, just like Rahul Gandhi's advisor calls South Indians Africans, North East Like Chinese, North Indians. Like Arabs,” he posted on 'X'.