“Should not have said it…”: Karnataka BJP Leader Apologises After 'Pakistan' Remark on Muslim IAS Officer Sparks Outrage

Karnataka BJP MLC N Ravikumar has issued a public apology after facing severe backlash for making a communal remark directed at a Muslim IAS officer during a protest in Kalaburagi. The comment, which questioned whether the Deputy Commissioner of Kalaburagi, Fouzia Taranum, was “from Pakistan,” has led to widespread condemnation and legal action.

Facing mounting criticism over his remark, Ravikumar apologised and described the incident as an “emotional outburst” that did not align with the values of his party. Speaking to NDTV, he said, “It was an emotional remark. I should not have said it. The BJP is a responsible central ruling party. It was not right on my part to make such a remark. I want to apologise for my remark.”

The controversial remark was made during a demonstration outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Ravikumar and his supporters were protesting the alleged mistreatment of Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council. According to reports, Narayanaswamy had been confined inside a guest house by Congress workers after making a “dog” reference to Priyank Kharge, a Congress state minister and son of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge.

“I don’t know whether the Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner has come from Pakistan or is an IAS officer here. Looking at your applause, it seems like the DC has indeed come from Pakistan,” said Ravikumar, during the protest.

The remarks were widely condemned as an attack on the patriotism and religious identity of a public servant. Senior Congress leader Priyank Kharge called the comment “highly distasteful” and questioned whether people making such statements could truly be considered patriotic. “Can these people be called true Indians?” he asked.

The incident also prompted legal action. A resident of Kalaburagi filed a complaint, leading to a police case against Ravikumar. He has been booked under multiple sections, including those related to issuing threats to a public servant, promoting enmity between communities, and violating laws protecting Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.​