Congress Leader Stirs Row With Kumaraswamy 'Kaalia' Remark, JD(S) Demands His Resignation

The JD(S) took a strong note of the remarks and demanded that the Congress government should sack Zameer Ahmed Khan from the Cabinet for his racist slur.

File photo of Karnataka Minister and Congress leader Zameer Ahmed Khan.

Source : X/Zameer Ahmed Khan

Karnataka Minister and Congress leader Zameer Ahmed Khan has triggered a controversy by calling Union Minister and Janaa Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswamy 'Kaaliya', a racist slur for being dark complexioned.

The congress leader made the remark while addressing a campaign rally in Channapatna on Sunday where he said, "Kaaliya Kumaraswamy is more dangerous than the BJP."

The JD(S) took a strong note of the remarks and demanded that the Congress government should sack Khan from the Cabinet for his racist slur. 

However, Khan clarified his remarks, by saying that he never intended to hurt Kumaraswamy. He said that Kumaraswamy used to call him 'Kulla' (dwarf). Further, the state minister said he has been addressing the union minister as 'Kariyanna' (black brother).

Speaking at the election rally, Khan said the Channapatna Congress candidate C P Yogeeshwara had no other option but to join the BJP earlier. Due to some differences in our party (Congress), he contested as an independent. 

"He had no option but to join the BJP. He was not ready to join the JD(S) because 'Kaaliya Kumaraswamy' was more dangerous than the BJP. Now he (Yogeeshwara) has come back home," the minister said.

C P Yogeeshwara has 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.

Khan also alleged that Kumaraswamy had said he did not need Muslim votes. Khan also played out 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 told the audience, Kumaraswamy says he does not want Hijab or Pajaab but he wants Muslim votes. Will you vote for him?"  

The JD(S) attacked the Congress by calling Khan a 'racist'.

"Your power and greed that you will buy the family of Deve Gowda who brought you up politically will not last long," the JD(S) said in a post on X.

ಚನ್ನಪಟ್ಟಣ ಉಪಚುನಾವಣೆ ಪ್ರಚಾರದ ವೇಳೆ ವಸತಿ ಖಾತೆ ಸಚಿವ @BZZameerAhmedK ಜನಾಂಗೀಯ ನಿಂದನೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಚನ್ನಪಟ್ಟಣ ವಿಧಾನಸಭಾ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾನುವಾರ (10-11-2024) ರಾತ್ರಿ ಪ್ರಚಾರದ ವೇಳೆ ಬಹಿರಂಗ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕವಾಗಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸಚಿವರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಹೆಚ್‌.ಡಿ. ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಅವರನ್ನು, ​ಜಮೀರ್​ ಅಹ್ಮದ್​ ಖಾನ್‌ "ಕಾಲಾ… pic.twitter.com/fPOGcbgBgX

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

In another post on X, the JD(S) said, "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

The party sought to know the colour of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, ministers H C Mahadevappa, Satish Jarakiholi, Priyank Kharge and K H Muniyappa.

Dismiss such a low mentality person from the Cabinet immediately, the party demanded.

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju too condemned Khan’s slur.

"I strongly deplore Congress Minister Zameer Ahmed calling Union Minister & Ex CM of Karnataka Sh. Kumaraswamy as 'Kaalia Kumaraswamy'. 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."

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Channapatna on Monday, Khan said he never intended to hurt Kumaraswamy. 

'I never uttered any derogatory thing. I always called Kumaraswamy as Kariyanna (black brother). The same thing I said in Urdu. That’s it," he said.