Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday played down the controversy surrounding Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan’s “Kaalia” remark aimed at Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy. Shivakumar explained that Ahmed Khan and Kumaraswamy share a friendship, implying that the comment was not intended seriously.

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He also criticized the BJP for fueling the controversy, arguing that the matter was being blown out of proportion for political purposes.

“Kumaraswamy and Zameer Ahmed are the closest of friends. Has Kumaraswamy given any statement on this? BJP people are only trying to create controversy. They both are in true love. For more than 20 years, they have been in love. They will speak whatever they want for their love,” Shivakumar told reporters.

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Meanwhile, Ahmed Khan tendered his apology for his remark against Kumaraswamy.

“I apologise if my statement has offended anyone. Earlier, when I was with him, he used to affectionately call me ‘kulla’ (short) and I used to call him ‘black’. I am ready to apologize if my statement offended anyone,” Khan told reporters in Mysuru on Tuesday.

Khan said that his remarks will not have an impact on the byelection results in the state.”It’s not an issue on which I need to resign. My statement has been interpreted differently. My statement will not affect the election,” he said.

On Monday, Janata Dal Secular strongly condemned the “racist remarks”.

JD(S) on its social media handle X, shared a video where Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan in an election campaign in Channapatna by-polls purportedly 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 an unforgivable crime.”

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.”

The bypolls on Shiggaon, Sandur and Channapatna are scheduled for November 13 and the results for the respective seats will be announced on November 23. These seats were vacant after the resignation of the respective candidates.