Karnataka Minister turns against CM Pinarayi's speech

Mangaluru: Haunted by criticism over his chappal remark against protesters who called for a bandh to disrupt the communal harmony meet organised by CPI-M and attended by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on February 25, state Food Minister U T Khader Tuesday said it was not intentional and he did not want to hurt feelings of any religion, caste or organisation.

Addressing reporters here, he said he was not happy with the speech delivered by Vijayan at the peace rally.

The theme of the rally was about creating communal harmony, he said.

However, the slogans raised during the CPI-M rally and the Kerala Chief Minister s speech would in no way promote communal harmony, he said, adding that he condemned the slogans and the speech.

The "chappal" remark was not intentional and it was made at the spur of the moment to remind the people to respect the Constitution.

When the Chief Minister of a neighbouring state visited Karnataka, it should be our duty to treat him well and the Sangh Parivar s attempts to prevent his entry was not right, he said.

Khader said he was deeply hurt when the CPI-M office at Thokkottu was set afire and stones were thrown at buses in his constituency. Those incidents put a black mark on the culture and tradition of coastal Karnataka, he said.

The minister said he now realised he was wrong to make the "chappal" remark against people. "My friends and well-wishers also told me so, he said.

While praising Kerala Chief Minister at a function in the city on February 25, Khader had said those protesting against his visit could not even be compared to his chappals and they should be beaten with footwear.

The remark invited widespread criticism from all quarters including from within his party.