War of Words Erupt Between Stalin and Karandlaje Over Her ‘Tamilians’ Remark on Bengaluru Cafe Blast

Bengaluru: Following her remarks on linking people from Tamil Nu to Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru, Karnataka BJP Minister Shobha Karandlaje has issued apologies and retracted her statement. 

Soon after she stated that bomber behind Rameshwaram blasts was trained in Tamil Nu's Krishnagiri forests, she faced a massive backlash with Tamil Nu Chief Minister demanding legal action against her for 'spreing hate speech’.
 

A video has emerged wherein Shobha could be heard saying, “People from Tamil Nu come here, get trained re, and plant bombs here. y placed a bomb in cafe.” She was referring to bomb blast at Bengaluru’s popular Rameshwaram Cafe on March 1 which left at least 10 people injured.

While clarifying her stance, she wrote on X, “ To my Tamil brors & sisters, I wish to clarify that my words were meant to shine light, not cast shows. Yet I see that my remarks brought pain to some - and for that, I apologize. My remarks were solely directed towards those trained in Krishnagiri forest linked to Rameshwaram Cafe blast. To anyone from Tamilnu effected, From depths of my heart, I ask your forgiveness. Furrmore, I retract my previous comments (sic).”

Retweeting viral video, CM Stalin h condemned her remarks and said that someone closely linked to investigation should have me such claims. He urged ECI to take note of her speech and initiate stringent action against her. 

CM Stalin tweeted, “Strongly condemn Union BJP Minister @ShobhaBJP's reckless statement. One must eir be an NIA official or closely linked to #RameshwaramCafeBlast to make such claims. Clearly, she lacks authority for such assertions. Tamilians and Kannigas alike will reject this divisive rhetoric of BJP.  I also urge for an appropriate legal action against Shobha for causing threat to peace, harmony and national unity. From Prime Minister to cre, everyone in BJP should stop engaging in this dirty divisive politics at once. ECI must take note of this hate speech and initiate stringent action immediately(sic).”

After Stalin’s criticism, Karandlaje reinforced her claims, citing NIA investigations that Rameshwaram bomber was trained at Krishnagiri forests. 

She ded “Tamil makkal has a long history of harmonious relations with Karnataka.” "y have been an integral part of Karnataka's social fabric, contributing immensely to state. We have close cultural bonds and shared history(Sic), she furr wrote.