The Crossbill News Desk
A first information report (FIR) has been registered against BJP MLC N Ravikumar over a controversial remark made against Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Tarannum, IAS.
The BJP legislator allegedly questioned the officer’s allegiance, stating, “She seems to have come from Pakistan,” during a protest held by the party on May 24, reported news agency PTI.
The FIR was lodged at the Station Bazaar police station, and the case is currently under investigation, a senior police official confirmed on Tuesday (May 27).
The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, particularly the IAS Officers’ Association, which condemned the statement as "irresponsible and unacceptable."
In a strongly worded statement, the association demanded an unconditional apology from Ravikumar and expressed full support for Tarannum.
"Fouzia Tarannum, IAS is an officer of impeccable integrity with an exemplary track record and deep dedication to public service and the State. Remarks made by Ravi kumar against her are baseless, unjustified, and entirely devoid of rationale. Such provocative and false statements not only malign the dignity of committed civil servants but also inflict severe mental trauma and amount to harassment in the line of duty," the association said.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also weighed in on the issue, describing the remark as “communal and derogatory.” He announced that the state government would initiate legal proceedings against the BJP legislator.
"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, urging the BJP leadership to respond to the incident, Hindustan Times reported.
“I want the BJP president, the Opposition leaders and the central ministers to react to it,” he added.
Under growing pressure and public criticism, Ravikumar issued an apology, calling his comment an “emotional outburst.”
“It was an emotional remark. I should not have said it. The BJP is a responsible central ruling party. It was not right on my part to make such a remark. I want to apologise for my remark,” he said.
The incident has sparked a broader debate on political decorum and the treatment of civil servants, particularly women officers from minority communities.
The BJP legislator allegedly questioned the officer’s allegiance, stating, “She seems to have come from Pakistan,” during a protest held by the party on May 24, reported news agency PTI.
The FIR was lodged at the Station Bazaar police station, and the case is currently under investigation, a senior police official confirmed on Tuesday (May 27).
The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, particularly the IAS Officers’ Association, which condemned the statement as "irresponsible and unacceptable."
In a strongly worded statement, the association demanded an unconditional apology from Ravikumar and expressed full support for Tarannum.
"Fouzia Tarannum, IAS is an officer of impeccable integrity with an exemplary track record and deep dedication to public service and the State. Remarks made by Ravi kumar against her are baseless, unjustified, and entirely devoid of rationale. Such provocative and false statements not only malign the dignity of committed civil servants but also inflict severe mental trauma and amount to harassment in the line of duty," the association said.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also weighed in on the issue, describing the remark as “communal and derogatory.” He announced that the state government would initiate legal proceedings against the BJP legislator.
"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, urging the BJP leadership to respond to the incident, Hindustan Times reported.
“I want the BJP president, the Opposition leaders and the central ministers to react to it,” he added.
Under growing pressure and public criticism, Ravikumar issued an apology, calling his comment an “emotional outburst.”
“It was an emotional remark. I should not have said it. The BJP is a responsible central ruling party. It was not right on my part to make such a remark. I want to apologise for my remark,” he said.
The incident has sparked a broader debate on political decorum and the treatment of civil servants, particularly women officers from minority communities.
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