Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje's statement against Tamil Nadu, where she claimed people from the state were "planting bombs in Karnataka" drew ire from the public, including neighbouring state's Chief Minister M K Stalin, prompting her to issue an apology.
However, Karandlaje chose not to include her rant against Kerala in her apology note.
Her remarks came on Tuesday during a protest organised by the BJP against the attack on a trader for playing 'Hanuman Chalisa' during the 'Azaan' (Islamic call for prayer). Karandlaje, accusing the Karnataka Congress government of hurting the interests of Hindus, said: "I want to ask Siddaramaiah who's government is running here. Have Hindus not voted for you? Hindus are being insulted constantly. One person comes from Tamil Nadu and plants a bomb in a cafe. Another man comes from Delhi and raises pro-Pak slogans in the Vidhan Soudha. Another man comes from Kerala and throws acid at college students," the Union Minister said.
"The person who should have been in jail attacks a man for playing Hanuman Chalisa. Where is law and order in the state? Where are you Home Minister G Parameshwara? Why are you silent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah?" she asked. "Hindus are paying the price for the Congress' 'vote bank politics', she alleged.
However, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin condemned Shobha Karandlaje's remarks calling them "reckless". "One must either be an NIA official or closely linked to the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast to make such claims. Clearly, she lacks the authority for such assertions. Tamilians and Kannadigas alike will reject this divisive rhetoric of BJP," Stalin said. He also urged the Election Commission of India to initiate appropriate legal action against Shobha for causing threat to peace, harmony and national unity.
Following the outburst, Karandlaje issued an apology to people of Tamil Nadu, stating her remarks were "solely directed towards those trained in the Krishnagiri forest, linked to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. To anyone from Tamilnadu affected, From the depths of my heart, I ask your forgiveness. Furthermore, I retract my previous comments."
However, the BJP leader made no mention of her comments against Kerala in her apology. According to BJP sources, she was highlighting an incident that occurred on March 4 in Mangaluru, wherein a man from Kerala hurled acid at three girls studying at a government pre-university college.