BENGALURU, 27 MAY

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday strongly condemned BJP MLC N Ravi Kumar for his "Pakistani" remarks against Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Fauzia Tarannum, describing it as an attempt to "create enmity" in society.

The CM's statement comes in response to an FIR filed against Kumar, the chief whip of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, after his comments sparked outrage.

"Whatever BJP MLC Ravi Kumar said is not appropriate. This is a statement to create enmity. Nothing will happen to her (Tarannum), but it is to create enmity in society...I strongly condemn it," Siddaramaiah stated.

Addressing a rally organised under the BJP's “Kalaburagi Chalo” campaign, Ravi Kumar had said, "The Kalaburagi DC office has lost its independence. The DC madam is also listening to what they (Congress) say. I don't know whether the DC has come from Pakistan or is an IAS officer here."

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said the State government will take action against Ravi Kumar. He said that many IAS officers had met him on this issue, and they were all enraged by the BJP MLC's comments.

"Since morning, more than half a dozen IAS officers have met me. They are all in a very agitated mood. The law will take its course. The government will take action," Shivakumar said.