Karnataka Minister Apologizes for 'Racist' Remark Against HD Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru: Karnataka cabinet minister Zameer Ahmed Khan apologized a day after sparking controversy with his racist remarks about Union minister HD Kumaraswamy. The Congress leader expressed regret, stating he was sorry if his comments about the Union Minister of Steel offended anyone.

Speaking to the media in Mysuru, Khan explained that he and Kumaraswamy are "close friends" and acknowledged that this was not the first time he had used terms like ‘kala’ or ‘kaliya’ (black) for Kumaraswamy. He clarified that such playful name-calling has been a part of their friendly banter since the early days of their political careers.

“He used to call me short and I used to call him black. When we were very close, he used to tease me for being short and I used to tease him as black. I will apologise if my words have hurt anyone. If this has hurt someone, I will apologise. Why will this statement affect elections? This isn't the first time I have said this,” Khan said.

On Sunday, Khan made a derogatory comment about Kumaraswamy's skin color during a campaign in Channapatna. While discussing CP Yogeshwar’s "ghar wapsi" to the Congress, Khan remarked that Yogeshwar had initially left the Congress due to personal differences, joined the BSP, and later moved to the BJP as he had no other choice.

“With no option left he joined the BJP as he didn't want to go with the Janata Dal (Secular). He didn’t want to go with JD(S) because he felt that ‘kaliya’ (HD) Kumaraswamy is more dangerous than the BJP,” Khan previously said.

Yogeshwar is the Congress candidate for the Channapatna assembly seat, where he is contesting against JD(S)’s Nikhil Kumaraswamy.

As Khan admitted, saying that Sunday was not the first time he made comments about Kumaraswamy’s skin tone. Three years ago, in Bidar, the minister had said, "I'm short and God made me short. God made him dark and hence kala (black). If I called a fair person black, then it's wrong. Black will be black only, right?"