JD(S) demands sacking of Congress minister Zameer Ahmed Khan for his ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’ remarks

Karnataka Congress minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan made the 'disgraceful and racially charged' remarks about Union minister H D Kumaraswamy at an election rally ahead of Wednesday’s Channapatna bypoll.

Karnataka Housing and Waqf Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan. (Photo: B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan/ X)

Days before the Channapatna Assembly bypoll, Karnataka Housing and Waqf Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan has triggered a controversy by mocking Union minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy as “Kaalia Kumaraswamy” and “Kaala Kumaraswamy”.

At an election rally held on the evening of November 9, Khan said Congress candidate C P Yogeshwar, who until recently was a BJP MLC, had no other option but to join the ruling party to contest the polls. “He did not want to join the JD(S) because Kaalia Kumaraswamy is more dangerous than the BJP,” he said.

Playing a clip where Kumaraswamy was heard purportedly saying, after last year’s Assembly polls, that he “neither wanted Muslim votes nor would he seek votes from the community”, Khan alleged that the JD(S) leader claimed to be able to buy Muslim (votes) by allying with the BJP.

“Aye Kumaraswamy, know that Muslims have the power to raise donations to buy your whole family,” he told the rally.

Khan played another clip, where Kumaraswamy was heard purportedly telling Muslims not to vote for the JD(S). “Who is saying this? Our Kaala Kumarswamy,” the Congress leader said.

Channapatna, which was previously represented by Kumaraswamy in the Assembly, will witness a pitched battle between Yogeshwar and Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is the candidate of the BJP-JD(S) coalition. The constituency will vote on Wednesday.

The JD(S) condemned Khan’s remarks as “disgraceful and racially charged” and sought legal action against him.

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In a post on X, JD(S) called Khan a racist and said the people of Karnataka would respond to his remarks. “What is the colour of Mallikarjuna Kharge, a Kannadiga? What is the colour of H C Mahadevappa?,” it said, also alluding to the fact that Congress leaders and ministers such as Satish Jarkiholi, Priyank Kharge, D K Suresh and Rahim Khan have darker complexions.

“How does it matter if the skin is black or white?” the JD(S) said, demanding Khan be sacked from the cabinet immediately. “The nation vehemently condemns the disgraceful and racially charged remarks by Zameer Ahmed against HD Kumaraswamy. This kind of hateful language marks a new low in political discourse and has no place in a civilized society. We demand accountability from leaders who choose divisive attacks over constructive dialogue.”

The nation vehemently condemns the disgraceful and racially charged remarks by Zameer Ahmed against HD Kumaraswamy. This kind of hateful language marks a new low in political discourse and has no place in a civilized society. We demand accountability from leaders who choose… https://t.co/teH4kZbzmN

— Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) November 11, 2024

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju backed his cabinet colleague from Karnataka. “This is a racist remark, same as Rahul Gandhi’s adviser calling South Indians look like Africans, North East as Chinese, North Indians as Arabs,” the BJP leader wrote on X.

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