Just two days after a Karnataka minister resigned over corruption allegations, opposition party BJP has demanded the resignation of another minister from Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s cabinet. The party has demanded that the chief minister ensure Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy either apologizes to the Hindu community for calling Islam “superior to other religions”, or resigns. The information comes from a report by Indian news outlet NDTV.
Speaking in Kuknoor town in Karnataka’s Koppal district, Rayareddy described Islam as a great and deeply humane religion. He said Islam is scientific and teaches people how to live.
But it was his subsequent remarks that sparked intense outrage from the BJP. The minister said: “Those who know nothing about Islam form misconceptions and wrong opinions about it. I want to say that Islam is superior to all other religions, because it began with humanity.”
He further said: “Look, I’m talking about the Quran — I haven’t studied the Abrahamic religions [Judaism, Christianity and Islam] extensively. And I don’t regularly visit temples or monasteries. But I do study religion and various histories. That’s why I look at the Abrahamic religions.”
Following Rayareddy’s remarks, Karnataka BJP president R Ashok demanded an explanation from the chief minister. He said the minister’s comments had demeaned Hinduism. Ashok also pointed to D K Shivakumar’s own regular temple visits.
Writing on social media platform X, Ashok said: “D K Shivakumar, is there no end to your Congress government’s anti-Hindu mindset? You put on a show of visiting temples at dawn, displaying devotion in front of cameras. But when a minister in your own cabinet makes derogatory remarks about Sanatan Hindu dharma and temples, why do you stay silent?”
He said Basavaraj Rayareddy must resign if he does not apologize. His demand came at a time when Minister B Nagendra had resigned for the second time in two years under sustained BJP attacks over corruption allegations. Nagendra had resigned just two days before Rayareddy’s remarks.
BJP leader R Ashok said: “Listen carefully to Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy’s arrogant remarks. By saying ‘I don’t go to monasteries or temples,’ he has demeaned the centers of religious faith for crores of Hindus in the state. And by saying things like ‘Islam is superior to other religions,’ he has insulted Sanatan dharma.”
He further said: “Our demand is clear — first, Basavaraj Rayareddy must withdraw his remarks and apologize to all Hindus in the state. If he isn’t prepared to do that, then Shivakumar must make his own position clear by removing him from the cabinet. Otherwise, one thing will become clear to the crores of Hindus in Kannada country: your temple visits aren’t about devotion; your words don’t come from respect for Hinduism either; it’s all just for votes, just for show.”
BJP spokesperson Ashok Gowda alleged that the minister and the Congress government were trying to “appease voters.” He said: “In trying to appease his voter base, Basavaraj Rayareddy seems stuck in the seventh century. I’d ask everyone to read the scriptures of different religions and then form their own conclusions. You are no expert — please remember that.”
Basavaraj Rayareddy had previously served as an economic adviser to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He became a minister earlier this month when D K Shivakumar expanded his cabinet.