Tejaswini Gowda questions reaction to Zameer Khan’s ‘Kaliya’ comment on HD Kumaraswamy, quotes minister’s wife – Karnataka News

Karnataka Congress leader Tejaswini Gowda has criticized the furor surrounding BZ Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan’s controversial ‘kaliya’ comments on JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy.

Speaking to reporters, Tejaswini pointed out the inconsistencies in the responses and wondered why it is acceptable for actor Radhika Kumarswamy, the Union minister’s wife, to call her husband ‘Kariya’ but not for Khan to use a similar term .

Tejaswini said, “In a TV interview, the host asked Radhika, ‘What does he call you?’ She replied, ‘He calls me Chinnu.’ Then the anchor asked, “What do you call him?” She said, ‘I call him Kariya’ (black)”

She termed Kumaraswamy’s “double standards” in the controversy.

Khan called Kumaraswamy “Kaliya” (dark-skinned) during his campaign in Channapatna, sparking outrage among JD(S) leaders and political opponents. The term was widely criticized as racist, with JD(S) demanding an apology and his resignation.

Khan later apologized, explaining that the comment was made in jest and referring to their long-standing friendship. He also noted that Kumaraswamy often called him “kulla” (shorty), which Kumaraswamy denied.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday indicated that the state Congress might take disciplinary action against Home Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan over his comments.

He said the party’s disciplinary committee, headed by former Rajya Sabha vice-chairman K Rahman Khan, could take up the case if Shivakumar referred it. “If the committee finds the matter serious, they may recommend action against him,” Parameshwara said.