Karnataka BJP leader apologises over ‘Pakistan’ remark against IAS officer

Bengaluru: Karnataka's BJP Member of Legislative Council (MLC) N Ravikumar apologized for his 'Pakistan' remark against the Deputy Commissioner of Kalaburagi.

As his comments triggered outrage in the state with the police filing a case against him, N Ravikumar attributed it to an ‘emotional outburst’ during a protest in front of Fouzia Taranum’s office.

Ravikumar said he should not have made the remarks, as it did not match with his party’s ethos.

‘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,’ he reportedly said.

He made the comment while protesting along with this supporters against the alleged mistreatment of Leader of Opposition, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.

The Leader of Opposition was confined inside a guest house by the Congress workers for a ‘dog’ remark against state minister Priyank Kharge, the son of Congress 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,’ Ravikumar was quoted as saying during the protest.

Priyank Kharge said that the remark was ‘highly distasteful’ and asked if people who make such comments could be called ‘true Indians’.

Following a Kalaburagi resident’s complaint, Ravikumar was charged with threat of injury to a public servant,move to outrage the religious feelings alongside the law against atrocities on people belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.