In a clip that has now gone viral, Araga Gnanendra, former Minister of Home Department from the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) can be seen addressing a gathering.
In this he says,”Our misfortune is that the forest minister is from the other side. They do not know anything about plants, trees or the shade offered by trees. They are burnt by the sun. Kharge is a prime example of this. His hair offers him some respite in this regard. They do not know about life in Malnad. They do not know about the life of people in the interiors of Malnad.”
This statement has sparked controversy. Gnanedra is accused of making comments that are derogatory on the basis of skin colour and discriminatory against the people of north Karnataka. Some have even demanded his arrest.
Priyank Kharge, Minister of IT/BT in the current government, responded to this statement. He stated that this represents the innate bias that is inscribed in the BJP party culture. “Your brain has been fried, not the people of North Karnataka. Those who have enjoyed the privileges of the Varnashrama and enjoyed the benefits of other’s labour might have a sparkling skin. Those who work on the field face the heat. If Gnanedra descends on the field his complexion would also change. This mindset would burn the BJP. we don’t live by the Manusmriti but by Babasaheb Ambedkar’s constitution,” he said.
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Gnanendra’s comment on Kharge sparks row; ‘They are burnt by the sun’ says Gnanendra
In a clip that has now gone viral, Araga Gnanendra, former Minister of Home Department from the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) can be seen addressing a gathering.
In this he says,”Our misfortune is that the forest minister is from the other side. They do not know anything about plants, trees or the shade offered by trees. They are burnt by the sun. Kharge is a prime example of this. His hair offers him some respite in this regard. They do not know about life in Malnad. They do not know about the life of people in the interiors of Malnad.”
This statement has sparked controversy. Gnanedra is accused of making comments that are derogatory on the basis of skin colour and discriminatory against the people of north Karnataka. Some have even demanded his arrest.
Priyank Kharge, Minister of IT/BT in the current government, responded to this statement. He stated that this represents the innate bias that is inscribed in the BJP party culture. “Your brain has been fried, not the people of North Karnataka. Those who have enjoyed the privileges of the Varnashrama and enjoyed the benefits of other’s labour might have a sparkling skin. Those who work on the field face the heat. If Gnanedra descends on the field his complexion would also change. This mindset would burn the BJP. we don’t live by the Manusmriti but by Babasaheb Ambedkar’s constitution,” he said.
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