Karnataka Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy has sparked a political controversy after making remarks praising Islam and expressing his desire to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage.
Rayareddy made the comments while attending a mass wedding programme organised by members of the Muslim community in Kukanur, Koppal district. During his address, he spoke about his views on different religions and said he was interested in visiting religious places outside his own tradition.
“I am not a regular to mutts or temples. However, I have a deep desire to take up Hajj pilgrimage at least once. Unless one is converted to Islam, it is not possible,” Rayareddy said.
The minister also described Islam as a humane religion and argued that people should not rely on religious rituals alone. He said there was considerable misinformation about Islam and suggested that its teachings deserved to be understood more widely.
His remarks quickly drew criticism from opposition leaders and triggered a political row in Karnataka.
Rayareddy Clarifies Remarks
Facing criticism, Rayareddy later attempted to explain his comments, saying his intention was not to undermine any religion. He said he was highlighting what he considered positive aspects of Islam and maintained that all religions have teachings worth understanding.
“I am not a follower of any particular religion. I want to study Islam, Judaism and Christianity also,” Rayareddy said while speaking to reporters at his residence in Yelburga.
He added that his interest in Hajj was genuine but said he was not a follower of any particular religion.
“Every religion has good teachings. All I said was that I am not a regular to mutts or temples. I only go when either my family members or friends ask me to accompany them,” he said.
The minister also clarified that he had not intended to suggest that other religions were inferior. Following the controversy, he referred to “Sharana Dharma”, associated with the Lingayat tradition, as the best way of life while defending his right to appreciate other faiths.
BJP Targets Congress Government
The statement has given the BJP fresh ammunition to attack the Congress government in Karnataka.
Opposition Leader R Ashoka criticised Rayareddy and questioned the silence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the minister’s remarks. Ashoka alleged that the statement could be interpreted as encouraging religious conversion.
He also questioned why the Chief Minister had not publicly responded to the controversy or sought Rayareddy’s resignation.
The episode has now turned into a wider political debate over religious remarks by elected representatives, with the BJP demanding accountability from the ruling Congress while Rayareddy maintains that his comments were aimed at appreciating different religions rather than denigrating any faith.
