Karnataka HC Questions BJP MLC Over ‘Pakistan’ Remark Against Muslim IAS Officer
Justice M. Nagaprasanna says religious identity cannot be used to question an IAS officer’s Indian citizenship or justify communal remarks.
The Karnataka High Court has questioned BJP MLC N. Ravikumar over an alleged communal remark targeting Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum, a Muslim IAS officer.
During a hearing on Friday, Justice M. Nagaprasanna questioned why Taranum was allegedly referred to as being “from Pakistan” simply because she is Muslim.
The judge stressed that Taranum is a Karnataka cadre IAS officer and said her religion could not be used as a basis for questioning her identity or belonging.
“I will not pardon the fact of a statement being made just because she is a Muslim that she is from ‘Pakistan’,” the judge orally observed.
The court was hearing Ravikumar’s petition seeking the cancellation of criminal proceedings against him before a special court in Bengaluru dealing with cases involving MPs and MLAs.
The case relates to a protest held in Kalaburagi in May 2025 over the alleged detention of BJP leader and Karnataka Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.
Ravikumar’s lawyer told the court that the MLC had only stated that “all police officers are slaves of the in charge minister.” However, the State government disputed this position and referred to other aspects of the protest.
The court also considered a dispute over permission for the protesters to carry the national flag during the demonstration.
Justice Nagaprasanna said political leaders have the right to organise protests and yatras, but that right does not permit them to make objectionable or communal statements.
“You have the right to protest. You can conduct yatras. But such statements cannot be made,” the judge said.
The court also questioned whether an apology submitted by Ravikumar after the incident could erase the alleged impact of his remarks.
“Your apology letter would take away the statement you made?” the court asked.
On the issue of the national flag, the High Court observed that authorities could not improperly prevent protesters from carrying it. The court said it would examine the records and could impose costs on officials if it found that the administration had unlawfully stopped the march.
At the same time, the court made it clear that the right to protest could not be used to justify communal remarks against a public servant.
The criminal case against Ravikumar was filed following a complaint by a resident of Kalaburagi. He has been booked under Sections 196(1)(a), 196(1)(b) and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The court also expressed concern about the increasing number of what it described as frivolous criminal cases. It observed that such cases were adding to the workload of criminal courts while serious matters continued to remain pending.
The case will next come up for hearing on August 20, 2026. The State has been directed to produce records concerning the protesters’ representation before the court.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the recurring use of references to Pakistan in communal political rhetoric against Indian Muslims. Such remarks are often criticised for questioning the loyalty and national belonging of Muslims in India.