Former Home Minister and senior BJP leader Araga Jnanendra has made an objectionable comment on All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge during a protest against Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre for his statement on the K. Kasturirangan report.
Addressing the protesters in Thirthahalli, on August 1, his constituency in Shivamogga district, Mr. Jnanendra said people from Bidar hardly know anything about trees, plants, or shade. “They do not know the lives of Malnad people, or the problems being faced by those who stay close to the Western Ghats,” he said, targeting Eshwar Khandre, who is a native of Bidar.
“People from that area turn pitch black under the scorching sun. We understand their plight if we look at Kharge. He has been saved somehow because of his hair, which has provided him shade.”
Mr. Araga Jnanendra took Mr Kharge’s name while criticising Mr. Khandre for his statement that the government would implement Kasturirangan’s report. “Kasturirangan is not an expert on the environment. The Western Ghats have survived because of the native people. The scientists prepared the report based on satellite images. We have been opposing the report. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should understand this,” he said.
As Congress goes on warpath, BJP MLA expresses regret
Later in the day, on realising that the comment had blown into a controversy, Mr. Jnanendra expressed regret ‘if his statement had hurt anyone’. He insisted that he had not said anything about Mr. Kharge.
In Bengaluru, Congress leaders held a protest and shouted slogans against the ‘anti-Dalit’ mindset of Mr. Jnanendra. In a post on X (earlier called Twitter), the party stated: “Insult to Mallikarjun Kharge’s skin colour shows to what level the BJP can stoop and exposes the intolerance of the party towards Dalits”.
