Karnataka Minister Defends Praise of Islam Amid BJP Backlash

Karnataka Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy sparked a political controversy after describing Islam as a "shreshta dharam" (great religion) superior to other faiths. Rayareddy made the remarks during a mass marriage program organized by the Muslim community in Kuknoor, where he also expressed a desire to visit Mecca.

On August 31, Rayareddy defended his comments, clarifying that praising the noble values of Islam did not imply other religions were inferior. He stated that he respects all faiths and identifies his own religion as humanity, noting that he studies various religions for academic purposes. He further addressed criticism regarding his infrequent temple visits, stating he attends when invited or pressured by his wife.

The Bharatiya Janata Party condemned the remarks as a tactic to appeal to a specific vote bank. Leader of Opposition Chalwadi Narayan Swami accused the Congress party of engaging in appeasement politics and claimed the statement condemned Hindutva. BJP MLC C.T. Ravi contrasted the minister's praise with global terrorist attacks carried out in the name of Islam, asserting that no such terrorism exists in the name of Sanatana Dharma. Additionally, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain noted that the Hajj pilgrimage is restricted to Muslims.

Congress leaders, including Priyank Kharge and Udit Raj, defended Rayareddy by citing constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and personal belief, arguing there is something to learn from every religion.