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Karnataka Excise Minister RB Timmapur on Sunday stirred controversy by suggesting that the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir likely did not question the victims about their religion before killing them.
His statement has added a fresh political dimension to the already sensitive situation.
Speaking to reporters, Minister Timmapur argued that it was impractical for terrorists to ask victims about their religion or caste during such attacks.
“A terrorist who is shooting, how can he ask about religion or caste? He will just kill people and leave,” he stated.
He further emphasised that terrorists act swiftly and indiscriminately during attacks and do not have the opportunity to engage victims in conversation.
Caution Against Communalising The Incident
The Minister also warned against giving the terror attack a communal colour.
He claimed that a conspiracy was underway to politicise the tragedy, stating, “Even if the terrorists have asked about religion, there should not be a mad attempt to politicise the issue and give it a communal twist.”
Timmapur’s remarks appeared to be aimed at discouraging political parties from exploiting the situation for sectarian gain.
CM Siddaramaiah’s Comments Spark Further Debate
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also found himself at the centre of controversy after discussing the broader implications of the terror incident.
Addressing the media, he cited intelligence failures and argued that India should consider war with Pakistan only as a last resort.
“Pakistan today is a bankrupt, ailing nation. They have nothing to lose. Therefore, as a rising global power, India must tread cautiously,” he said.
Siddaramaiah’s comments were quickly picked up by Pakistani media outlets, further inflaming tensions back home.
His remarks prompted a sharp reaction from Karnataka’s opposition BJP, which accused the Chief Minister of appeasing Pakistan.
Opposition Backlash
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, criticised Siddaramaiah on social media, posting a video clip of a Pakistani news channel airing the Chief Minister’s statement.
In a scathing post on X, Ashoka dubbed Siddaramaiah ‘Pakistan Ratna’ and accused him of making childish and absurd statements that embarrassed India on the global stage.
“ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನ ರತ್ನ” ಸಿಎಂ @siddaramaiah ನವರೇ,
ತಮ್ಮ ಬಾಲಿಶ, ಅಸಂಬದ್ಧ ಹೇಳಿಕೆಗಳಿಂದ ಈಗ ರಾತ್ರೋರಾತ್ರಿ ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ವರ್ಲ್ಡ್ ಫೇಮಸ್ ಆಗಿಬಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೀರಿ. ತಮಗೆ ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು. ಮುಂದೆಂದಾದರೂ ತಾವು ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ತಮಗೆ ರಾಜಾತಿಥ್ಯ ಗ್ಯಾರೆಂಟಿ. ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನದ ಪರ ವಕಾಲತ್ತು ವಹಿಸಿದ ಮಹಾನ್ ಶಾಂತಿದೂತ ಎಂದು… pic.twitter.com/OjcCkrEMtb
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) April 27, 2025
Political Fallout
The combined comments of Minister Timmapur and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have provided fresh ammunition for political sparring in Karnataka.
As public outrage over the Pahalgam attack continues, the political discourse appears increasingly polarised, with leaders trading accusations over patriotism, security policy, and communal harmony.
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