Karnataka Minister Sparks Controversy by Calling Islam ‘Superior to Other Religions
BENGALURU — Karnataka Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy has triggered a political controversy after describing Islam as “superior to other religions,” drawing sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has demanded his resignation.
Rayareddy made the remarks on Sunday, August 30, while speaking at an event in Kuknoor in Karnataka’s Koppal district. During his speech, he described Islam as a highly humane and scientific religion and said many people hold misconceptions about Islam because they do not understand the faith.
According to Rayareddy, Islam teaches people how to live together in society and places a strong emphasis on humanity from its very beginning. On that basis, he said he considered Islam superior to other religions.
The minister also spoke about his own religious interests, saying that although he does not regularly visit temples or religious monasteries, he studies the history and scriptures of different religions. He said this has led to a particular interest in the Abrahamic faiths.
His remarks quickly drew strong criticism from the BJP, with the opposition party accusing him of insulting Hinduism and offending the religious sentiments of millions of Hindus in the state.
R Ashoka, a senior BJP leader and the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, sharply criticised the Congress-led government of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. In a social media post, Ashoka questioned why the government remained silent despite what he described as remarks that demeaned the beliefs of millions of Sanatan Hindus as well as temples and religious institutions.
The BJP has demanded that Rayareddy immediately withdraw his remarks and issue a public apology. The party has also warned that if he fails to do so, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should remove him from the state Cabinet.
Other BJP leaders have also attacked the minister, describing his comments as an example of what they called the Congress party’s “vote-bank politics.”
Rayareddy, who previously served as an economic adviser to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, was appointed Higher Education Minister during a recent Cabinet expansion.
The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time in Karnataka, where the BJP has been stepping up its attacks on the Congress government over allegations of corruption and governance issues. The latest dispute over Rayareddy’s religious remarks is likely to add further tension to the state’s already charged political atmosphere.