Kalaburagi, Karnataka – A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), N. Ravikumar, has ignited a major controversy with a communal remark targeting Fauzia Tarannum, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kalaburagi. During a BJP-organized ‘Kalaburagi Chalo’ protest rally on May 24, 2025, Ravikumar questioned Tarannum’s nationality, stating, “I don’t know whether the DC has come from Pakistan or is an IAS officer here.” The comment, made in the context of accusing the district administration of being influenced by the ruling Congress government, has drawn widespread condemnation for its communal and derogatory tone.
Fauzia Tarannum, a 2015-batch IAS officer, is a highly respected administrator known for her exemplary service, including receiving the Best Electoral Practices Award from the President of India in 2024 for her contributions to election management. Her role as Kalaburagi’s DC has placed her in the spotlight amid escalating political tensions in the region, particularly following a May 21 incident in Chittapur, where Congress workers allegedly besieged a guest house hosting the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy. The BJP’s protest demanded the removal of Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge from the state Cabinet in connection to this incident.
Ravikumar’s remark has been met with sharp criticism from civil society groups, political leaders, and bureaucratic circles. The Karnataka IAS Officers’ Association condemned the statement as “irresponsible and unacceptable,” demanding an unconditional apology and legal action against the BJP leader. The association emphasized Tarannum’s integrity and dedication to public service, noting that such remarks cause severe mental trauma to officers. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also pledged the state government’s support for Tarannum, stating that legal action would be pursued and urging the BJP to address Ravikumar’s comments.
Congress leaders, including Priyank Kharge and Sharan Prakash Patil, slammed the BJP for stoking communal tensions. Kharge called the remark “highly distasteful” and reflective of a “disturbing mindset,” questioning the patriotism of those targeting fellow citizens with such rhetoric. Patil described the comment as a deliberate attempt to provoke and communalize the atmosphere. The Akhil Bharatiya Janawadi Mahila Sanghatan and the Karnataka State Government Employees’ Association also condemned Ravikumar, with the latter praising Tarannum’s responsiveness to public grievances.
An FIR has been filed against Ravikumar at the Station Bazaar Police Station in Kalaburagi under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to communal incitement, criminal intimidation, and threatening national harmony. The complaint also references derogatory remarks against senior police officials and casteist comments aimed at provoking hostility among communities. Ravikumar, facing mounting pressure, issued an apology, attributing his statement to an “emotional outburst” during the protest. However, the apology has done little to quell the outrage, with many calling for stricter disciplinary action.
The controversy has drawn parallels to a recent incident involving Madhya Pradesh BJP Minister Vijay Shah, who faced backlash for similar communal remarks against Colonel Sofia Qureshi, a senior officer involved in India’s Operation Sindoor. Critics have pointed to a pattern of BJP leaders targeting Muslim women in public service, raising concerns about communal rhetoric in political discourse.
As the investigation continues, the incident has intensified the political divide between the BJP and Congress in Karnataka, with Tarannum’s reputation as a dedicated officer becoming a focal point in the ongoing debate over communal harmony and respect for civil servants.
Source: Inputs from agencies
