JD(S) condemns "racial slurs" against HD Kumaraswamy by Karnataka minister Zameer Ahmed Khan
Channapatna: Janata Dal Secular on Monday strongly condemned the "racist remarks" made by Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan for Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy.
JD(S) on its social media handle X, shared a video where Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan while an election campaign in Channapatna by-polls purpotedly makes disparging remarks against the former chief minister terming him as "Kala Kumaraswamy."
In a social media post on X, the official handle of JD(S) wrote, "Housing Minister @BZZameerAhmedK used racial slurs during Channapatna by-election campaign. Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was insulted by Jameer Ahmed Khan as "Kala Kumaraswamy" (Black Kumaraswamy) in Urdu. By this they have racially insulted the black people and committed racial discrimination. Apart from that, these words of racial hatred coming from the mouth of Jameer Ahmed, who has uplifted a community and encouraged people to deteriorate the peace and order in the society, are unforgivable crime."
The party criticised the "racial slurs" by the Minister and demanded his resignation. The party also demanded the state Home Minister G Parameshwara and Ramnagar district police to immediately take appropriate legal action against minister Jameer Ahmed for "racial abuse, racism and trying to disturb peace in the society."
The tweet added, "The Secular Janata Dal Party demands that the Home Minister @DrParameshwara and @spramanagara Ramnagar district police immediately take appropriate legal action against minister Jameer Ahmed for racial abuse, racism and trying to disturb peace in the society. Mr. @kharge and @INCIndia president of National Congress should get the resignation of this racist Jameer first if he can maintain morals for the party. @INCKarnataka."
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also condemned the remarks. In a post on X, he said :I strongly deplore Congress Minister Zameer Ahmed calling Union Minister & Ex CM of Karnataka Sh. Kumaraswamy as 'Kaalia Kumaraswamy'. This is a racist remark, same as Rahul Gandhi's adviser calling South Indians look like Africans, North East as Chinese, North Indians as Arabs."
The JD(S) reposted Rijiju's remarks stating, "The nation vehemently condemns the disgraceful and racially charged remarks by Zameer Ahmed against HD Kumaraswamy. This kind of hateful language marks a new low in political discourse and has no place in a civilized society. We demand accountability from leaders who choose divisive attacks over constructive dialogue."
The bypolls on Shiggaon, Sandur and Channapatna is scheduled for November 13 and the results for the respective seats will be announced on November 23. These seats were vacant after resignation of the respective candidates.
