Karandlaje apologises for ‘Tamil Nadu’ remark on blast case; DMK lodges complaint
“My remarks were solely directed towards those trained in the Krishnagiri forest, linked to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast,” clarifies BJP minister
Hours after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin sought legal action against Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje for blaming “Tamilians for the recent blast in Bengaluru”, the Karnataka BJP leader issued a statement on X retracting her claim and offered an apology.
However, the DMK leader RS Bharathi lodged a complaint with the Election Commission urging it to take action against the Union minister and the BJP for promoting "feelings of enmity and hatred" between the people of the two states and insulting the people of Tamil Nadu by "generalising them as extremists".
In her X post, Karandlaje said: “To my Tamil brothers & sisters, I wish to clarify that my words were meant to shine light, not cast shadows. Yet I see that my remarks brought pain to some - and for that, I apologize. My remarks were solely directed towards those trained in the Krishnagiri forest, linked to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. To anyone from Tamilnadu effected, From the depths of my heart, I ask your forgiveness. Furthermore, I retract my previous comments (sic),” read her statement posted in two tweets.
Before that, however, she blamed Stalin for “emboldening radical elements to target Hindus and BJP workers” in three X posts.
Attacking Stalin
“Mr. Stalin, What has become of Tamil Nadu under your rule? Your appeasement politics have emboldened radical elements to attack on Hindus & BJP workers day and night. Frequent Bomb blasts bearing the hallmarks of terror outfits like ISIS explode while you turn a blind eye (sic),” she alleged in one post.
In a follow-up post, she claimed, “FYI, the Rameshwaram bomber was trained in Krishnagiri forests under your nose (sic).” She was referring to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru.
“Tamil makkal has a long history of harmonious relations with Karnataka. They have been an integral part of Karnataka’s social fabric, contributing immensely to the state. We have close cultural bonds and shared history,” read her third post in the series.
Stalin’s reaction
Late on Tuesday (March 19), Stalin reacted sharply to a video in which Karandlaje can be heard saying, “People from Tamil Nadu come here, get trained there, and plant bombs here.”
“Strongly condemn Union BJP Minister @ShobhaBJP’s reckless statement. One must either be an NIA official or closely linked to the #RameshwaramCafeBlast to make such claims. Clearly, she lacks the authority for such assertions,” Stalin posted on X.
Calling for legal action against the BJP minister and asking the Election Commission to take note, Stalin wrote, “Tamilians and Kannadigas alike will reject this divisive rhetoric of BJP. I also urge for an appropriate legal action against Shobha for causing threat to peace, harmony and national unity. From the Prime Minister to cadre, everyone in the BJP should stop engaging in this dirty divisive politics at once. ECI must take note of this hate speech and initiate stringent action immediately.”
Rameshwaram Cafe blast
On March 13, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a man named Shabbir in connection with the Rameshwaram Cafe blast from Karnataka’s Bellary.
The Rameshwaram Cafe blast took place on March 1 and the NIA subsequently released photos of the suspect caught in the CCTV footage. The probe so far has indicated that an IED device with a timer was used to trigger the explosion.
(With agency inputs)
