Karnataka Housing and Waqf Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan apologised on Tuesday after referring to JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy as "Kaalia." This term, criticised by the NDA as a "racist" slur, sparked controversy during a campaign event in Channapatna, where Kumaraswamy’s son, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, is contesting against Congress candidate Yogeshwar.
Khan, who was previously a close associate of Kumaraswamy during his time with JD(S), clarified that the term was used affectionately. He stated that he had often called Kumaraswamy "Kariyanna" (meaning "black brother") in return for being addressed by Kumaraswamy as "Kulla" (dwarf), emphasising that the exchange was based on mutual camaraderie. However, Khan apologised if his remarks had caused offense, explaining, "If still he or anyone is pained by it, I apologise."
"....If I had called him using such a word for the first time, I would have apologised....out of affection, he used to call me 'Kulla' (dwarf), I used to call him Kariyanna (black brother). What is there in that?" Khan said, as per a report on PTI.
Speaking to reporters, he said: "He used to call me 'Kullanna' and I used to call him 'Kariyanna' (referring to his skin complexion)."
The incident drew criticism from JD(S) and BJP, both of which demanded Khan's removal from the Cabinet. Despite this, Khan insisted his words would not impact the Channapatna by-polls, adding, "Why will it affect? I have not called in such a way for the first time. When Kumaraswamy and I were close, he used to call me 'Kulla', I used to call him Kariyanna....If JD(S) workers are pained by it, I apologise."
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