Congress minister in Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s cupboard has landed in controversy over his remarks on Islam. Karnataka minister Basavaraj Rayareddy, whereas talking at a mass marriage programme organised by the Muslim group in Kuknoor on Saturday, twenty ninth August, described Islam as a “higher faith” than others and stated he want to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage.
Basavaraj Rayareddy praises Islam
Addressing the gathering, Rayareddy stated, “I want to say that Islam is shreshta dharam (nice faith) than different dharmas….” He then stated that a number of misconceptions about Islam had been being unfold in society and praised what he described as its teachings on humanity and social life.
“Islam is bigger than all different religions, as a result of it begins with humanity” : Karnataka Minister Basavaraj Raya Reddy. pic.twitter.com/4ioqQI42UB
— Deepak Bopanna (@dpkBopanna) August 30, 2026
“Islam is a superb faith filled with humanity. However unsuitable notions are being unfold about Islam in society. This faith teaches how a human ought to stay in society,” he stated, in line with PTI.
The minister stated he had tried to review the Quran in addition to different religions and their histories. He urged folks to learn non secular texts and keep away from changing into bigots or casteists. “Learn it, perceive, and don’t change into bigots; don’t change into casteists. There are God and unhealthy folks in all religions, however unhealthy issues are all the time highlighted,” he stated.
Rayareddy additionally stated that folks ought to respect all religions and give attention to their constructive teachings. He expressed his need to go to Mecca however stated he couldn’t accomplish that with out changing to Islam, as he understood it to be a requirement of the faith.
“Islam is an efficient faith; there are good teachings in it; you need to comply with it, as an alternative of simply going to Masjid…,” he added.
BJP calls for Rayareddy’s resignation
His remarks triggered a pointy response from the BJP, with social gathering leaders accusing the Congress authorities of following an “anti-Hindu” strategy. Karnataka Meeting Chief of Opposition R Ashoka directly questioned Chief Minister DK Shivakumar over the assertion.
“CM DK Shivakumar, is there no finish to this anti-Hindu mindset of your Congress authorities?” Ashoka wrote on X. He additionally questioned why Shivakumar remained silent when a minister in his cupboard made remarks that demeaned Sanatan Dharma.
ಸಿಎಂ @DKShivakumar ಅವರೇ, ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಈ ಹಿಂದೂ ವಿರೋಧಿ ಮನಸ್ಥಿತಿಗೆ ಕೊನೆಯೇ ಇಲ್ಲವೇ?
ದಿನಬೆಳಗಾದರೆ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ ಸುತ್ತುವ ನಾಟಕ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾ, ಕ್ಯಾಮೆರಾ ಮುಂದೆ ಭಕ್ತಿಯ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನ ನೀಡುವ ನೀವು, ನಿಮ್ಮದೇ ಸಂಪುಟದ ಸಚಿವರು ಸನಾತನ ಹಿಂದೂ ಧರ್ಮದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮತ್ತು ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅವಹೇಳನಕಾರಿ ಹೇಳಿಕೆ ನೀಡಿದಾಗ ಮಾತ್ರ… pic.twitter.com/5MitmcrwxE
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) August 30, 2026
Ashoka demanded that Rayareddy withdraw his assertion and apologise to Hindus in Karnataka. “Our demand is evident: First, Basavaraj Rayareddy should withdraw his statements and search forgiveness from all Hindus within the state. If he’s not ready to take action, CM DKShi should display his dedication to take away him from the cupboard,” he stated.
The BJP chief additionally criticised Rayareddy’s comment, “I don’t go to mutts or temples,” saying it belittled the religion centres of thousands and thousands of Hindus. He requested whether or not the Congress’s declare of “Sarva Dharma Sambhava” was being adopted in observe.
Congress burns Manusmriti whereas minister praises Islam
Rayareddy’s remarks have come amid one other Hinduphobic controversy involving the Congress employees and the Manusmriti. On Sunday, thirtieth August, Indian Youth Congress employees led by nationwide president Uday Bhanu Chib protested exterior the RSS headquarters in Delhi and burnt copies of the Manusmriti.
The protesters raised slogans together with “Manusmriti Nahi Samvidhan Chahiye” and “Daliton ka ye Apmaan Nahi Sahega Hindustan”. The protest was linked to the controversy over the Havan performed on the Haldwani venue the place Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a rally.
The Congress and its leaders have alleged that the ritual amounted to untouchability towards Kharge, whereas folks related to the organisation that performed the Havan have rejected that declare. In opposition to this backdrop, Rayareddy’s reward of Islam has added one other comment, proving the Congress’s adoption of various requirements when discussing religions.
Amid the controversy, Rayareddy later clarified that he didn’t intend to recommend that different religions had been inferior. He stated that his remarks had been about appreciating the teachings of Islam and pressured that he revered all religions.
The clarification got here after the BJP stepped up its assault and demanded both an apology from the minister or his elimination from the Karnataka Cupboard.
Rahul Gandhi’s Manusmriti assault and Congress’ double requirements
Kanthapuram’s remarks additionally come at a politically important second for the Congress, with social gathering chief and Chief of Opposition Rahul Gandhi having lately launched a pointy assault on the Manusmriti over its therapy of girls.
Talking on the Congress’ ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ outreach programme in Pune on August 22, Gandhi stated girls belong to themselves and to not their fathers, husbands or sons. He described the thought of preserving girls beneath the authority of male family members as mirrored within the Manusmriti as shameful and known as on girls to interrupt free from what he described because the social “cage” imposed by patriarchy.
Gandhi’s remarks triggered a political row, with BJP leaders accusing him of selectively focusing on Hindu traditions whereas Congress defended his place as a name for gender equality. The controversy has since expanded right into a wider political battle over Manusmriti, patriarchy and the therapy of girls throughout non secular communities, particularly with the regressive feedback made by the Grand Mufti of India, AP Aboobacker Musliyar, who cited the Quran to say girls ought to stay confined to their houses.
