Just a couple of days after a minister in Karnataka resigned over corruption charges, the state’s Higher Education Minister, Basavaraj Rayareddy has landed the DK Shivakumar government and the Congress party in a soup by saying that Islam is superior to all other religions.&nbsp;Rayareddy made the remarks while speaking at a mass marriage programme organised by the Muslim community in the Kuknoor town of Koppal district.&nbsp;During his address, the Karnataka minister Rayareddy described Islam as a great and highly humanitarian religion. He added that the religion is based on science and teaches people how to live.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;Islam is a great religion and better than all other religions. He said he wish to study Quran. He also said he wishes to travel to Mecca and do Hajj but sadly not because he is not Muslim&quot;. Karnataka Congress Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy.🤣 <a href="https://t.co/LuSIOKvsfh">pic.twitter.com/LuSIOKvsfh</a>&mdash; subash kumar (@Krishan10_) <a href="https://x.com/Krishan10_/status/2094131313519550839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-forces-strike-iranian-missile-launchers-on-larak-island-in-strait-of-hormuz-1788121041713">US forces strike Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in Strait of Hormuz</a><h2>‘Misconceptions being spread about the faith’&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;He also alleged that misconceptions were being spread about the faith.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Those who know nothing about Islam make incorrect assumptions and form wrong opinions about it. I would like to say that Islam is superior to all other religions because it begins with humanity,” the minister said.&nbsp;He also said that he wanted to study the Quran and Abrahamic religions, adding that people should study religions and their histories.&nbsp;“Look, regarding the Quran, I haven’t done extensive study on Abrahamic religions, and while I don’t frequently visit temples or mathas (monasteries), I do study religions and different histories. That is why I look at Abrahamic religions,” he added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-based-terrorist-handlers-isi-using-porn-sites-and-encrypted-apps-to-communicate-with-recruits-in-j-k-1788115668072">Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and encrypted apps to communicate with ‘recruits’ in J&amp;K</a>&nbsp;Rayareddy further said that he does not usually visit mathas and temples but believes their history should be studied.&nbsp;He also expressed an interest in undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage, but said he did not have the opportunity to do so.&nbsp;<h2>‘I wish to go Mecca, but I don’t have the opportunity’</h2>&nbsp;“I wish to go Mecca, but I don’t have the opportunity. To go there, one has to convert,” Rayareddy said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-nepal-floods-himachal-identifies-67-vulnerable-glacial-lakes-plans-early-warning-systems-for-4-high-risk-ones-1788107314977">After Nepal floods, Himachal identifies 67 vulnerable glacial lakes, plans early warning systems for 4 high-risk ones</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The opposition BJP latched onto the opportunity and asked Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to either make his Higher Education Minister, Basavaraj Rayareddy, apologise to the Hindu community or resign over his remark.&nbsp;Karnataka BJP president R Ashoka said that the minister’s comments had demeaned Hinduism. He also referred to DK Shivakumar’s frequent temple visits.&nbsp;<h2>‘Anti-Hindu mindset’: Apologise or resign, says BJP&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;“DK Shivakumar, is there no end to this anti-Hindu mindset of your Congress government? You put on a show of visiting temples at dawn, performing devotion in front of the cameras, but why do you stay silent only when a minister in your own cabinet makes derogatory statements about Sanatan Hindu Dharma and temples?” he wrote on X.He even demanded Rayareddy’s resignation if he doesn't apologise.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-successfully-launches-nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope-to-unravel-mysteries-of-universe-1788094822217">NASA successfully launches Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to unravel mysteries of universe</a>&nbsp;“Our demand is clear: First, Basavaraj Rayareddy must withdraw his statements and seek forgiveness from all Hindus in the state. If he is not prepared to do so, Shivakumar must demonstrate his commitment to remove him from the cabinet. Otherwise, one thing becomes clear to millions of Hindus in Kannada land: Your temple visits are not for devotion; your words are not out of respect for Hindu Dharma; Everything is solely for votes, for show,” he added.&nbsp;BJP spokesperson Ashok Gowda accused the minister and the Congress government of trying to appease “voters”.Rayareddy was the financial adviser to former chief minister Siddaramaiah. He became a minister in DK Shivakumar’s Cabinet earlier this month.

Karnataka Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy said he wanted to study the Quran and Abrahamic religions. He also expressed an interest in undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage but said he could not do so as he will first have to convert for it

Just a couple of days after a minister in Karnataka resigned over corruption charges, the state’s Higher Education Minister, Basavaraj Rayareddy has landed the DK Shivakumar government and the Congress party in a soup by saying that Islam is superior to all other religions. Rayareddy made the remarks while speaking at a mass marriage programme organised by the Muslim community in the Kuknoor town of Koppal district. During his address, the Karnataka minister Rayareddy described Islam as a great and highly humanitarian religion. He added that the religion is based on science and teaches people how to live.

Karnataka Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy said he wanted to study the Quran and Abrahamic religions. He also expressed an interest in undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage but said he could not do so as he will first have to convert for it

‘Islam superior to all other religions,’ says Karnataka minister Basavaraj Rayareddy; BJP demands apology

The income tax department recovered Rs 11.43 crore in cash during searches on multiple premises linked to Karnataka Energy minister GK Shivakumar and his associates, PTI reported Thursday.

Sources told ANI, the tax department had seized Rs 8.33 crore from Shivkumar&#39;s premises in Delhi, Rs 2.5 crore from Bengaluru and Rs 60,00,000 from Mysuru.

The tax department continued its raids for the second day on Thursday.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/it-raids-on-karnataka-minister-rs-75-crore-recovered-from-properties-of-dk-shivakumar-18506">Rs 10 crore recovered from properties of DK Shivakumar</a>

The department raided Shivakumar&rsquo;s father-in-law&#39;s home on Thursday morning, ANI reported.&nbsp;

ANI reported that the department also raided a residence in Delhi&#39;s Safdarjung area owned by Shivakumar.&nbsp;

Income tax officials on Wednesday had raided a number of Shivakumar&#39;s properties in Bengaluru and Delhi.

The department also raided Shivakumar&#39;s room at the Eagleton Golf Resort in Bengaluru where the 44 Gujarat Congress MLAs are holed up.&nbsp;

Shivakumar is responsible for the looking after of the Congress MLAs.&nbsp;

The MLAs are holed up in Bengaluru because the party is worried they might defect should they be allowed to return to Gujarat.&nbsp;

Six MLAs have already resigned from the Congress, with three of them joining the BJP.&nbsp;

The Congress had reacted sharply to the raids, calling them a &quot;witch hunt&quot;.&nbsp;

Sources told ANI, the tax department had seized Rs 8.33 crore from Shivkumar's premises in Delhi, Rs 2.5 crore from Bengaluru and Rs 60,00,000 from Mysuru

The income tax department recovered Rs 11.43 crore in cash during searches on multiple premises linked to Karnataka Energy minister GK Shivakumar and his associates, PTI reported Thursday. Sources told ANI, the tax department had seized Rs 8.33 crore from Shivkumar's premises in Delhi, Rs 2.5 crore from Bengaluru and Rs 60,00,000 from Mysuru. The tax department continued its raids for the second day on Thursday. Also read: Rs 10 crore recovered from properties of DK Shivakumar The department raided Shivakumar’s father-in-law's home on Thursday morning, ANI reported. ANI reported that the department also raided a residence in Delhi's Safdarjung area owned by Shivakumar. Income tax officials on Wednesday had raided a number of Shivakumar's properties in Bengaluru and Delhi. The department also raided Shivakumar's room at the Eagleton Golf Resort in Bengaluru where the 44 Gujarat Congress MLAs are holed up. Shivakumar is responsible for the looking after of the Congress MLAs. The MLAs are holed up in Bengaluru because the party is worried they might defect should they be allowed to return to Gujarat. Six MLAs have already resigned from the Congress, with three of them joining the BJP. The Congress had reacted sharply to the raids, calling them a "witch hunt".

IT raids on Karnataka minister: Rs 11.43 crore recovered till now, search continues for second day

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‘Islam superior to all other religions,’ says Karnataka minister Basavaraj Rayareddy; BJP demands apology

IT raids on Karnataka minister: Rs 11.43 crore recovered till now, search continues for second day