📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Politics
Karnataka Minister Calls Islam ‘Great Religion’, BJP Leaders Condemn
✍️ India Today
🗓 31 Aug 2026, 03:33 AM
👁 44
A Karnataka cabinet minister’s comment describing Islam as a great religion has drawn sharp criticism from senior BJP officials, who say the remark is politically insensitive.
The Karnataka government’s cabinet minister sparked controversy on Thursday after stating that Islam is a great religion during a public interaction. The comment, made in response to a question on religious harmony, was quickly picked up by national media.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in the state condemned the statement, calling it an attempt to appease minority voters ahead of upcoming elections. Senior BJP spokespersons demanded a clarification and warned that such remarks could polarise the electorate.
The minister’s office issued a brief statement saying the remark was meant to promote communal harmony and was not intended to offend any community. No further comments have been made as the issue continues to attract political attention.
Analysts note that the episode reflects the growing sensitivity around religious rhetoric in Karnataka’s charged electoral environment, where both major parties vie for support across diverse communities.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in the state condemned the statement, calling it an attempt to appease minority voters ahead of upcoming elections. Senior BJP spokespersons demanded a clarification and warned that such remarks could polarise the electorate.
The minister’s office issued a brief statement saying the remark was meant to promote communal harmony and was not intended to offend any community. No further comments have been made as the issue continues to attract political attention.
Analysts note that the episode reflects the growing sensitivity around religious rhetoric in Karnataka’s charged electoral environment, where both major parties vie for support across diverse communities.