India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded an apology or resignation from Karnataka Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddi.
The demand follows remarks in which the minister reportedly said that Islam is greater than all other religions.
Rayareddi made the comments while speaking at a private event, according to Indian media reports.
He described Islam as a great and human-centered religion.
The minister also said that Islam is based on science and teaches people how to live their lives.
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Minister Defends His View of Islam
Rayareddi said people who know little about Islam often form wrong views about the religion.
He argued that Islam is greater than other religions because, in his view, it is based on humanity.
The minister also spoke about his interest in studying different religions and history.
He said he had not studied the Abrahamic religions in depth.
However, he said his wider study of religions and history had encouraged him to learn more about them.
BJP Calls Remarks an Insult to Hinduism
BJP Karnataka president R. Ashoka strongly criticized the minister’s remarks.
Ashoka described the comments as an insult to Hinduism.
He also accused the minister of making offensive comments about temples and other religious places.
The BJP leader asked Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to respond to the controversy.
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BJP Demands Apology
Ashoka demanded that Rayareddi withdraw his remarks.
He also called on the minister to apologize to Hindus across Karnataka.
Otherwise, Ashoka said the chief minister should remove Rayareddi from the state cabinet.
The BJP leader also questioned Shivakumar’s visits to temples.
He asked why the chief minister remained silent if a cabinet minister made such comments about Hinduism.
Ashoka accused the Congress-led government of using such statements for political gains.
BJP Spokesperson Also Criticizes Minister
BJP spokesperson Ashok Gowda also criticized Rayareddi.
He accused the minister and the Congress government of trying to please voters.
Gowda said people should study the religious books of different faiths before forming strong opinions about them.
The BJP has continued to press the Karnataka government over the minister’s comments.
Rayareddi Recently Joined Cabinet
Indian media reports say Rayareddi joined D.K. Shivakumar’s cabinet earlier this month.
Before joining the cabinet, he served as a financial adviser to former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The latest controversy has added to political tensions in Karnataka.
The Congress government has yet to announce any decision on the BJP’s demand for an apology or resignation.
