Loose Cannon? Karnataka BJP MLC Booked Over ‘Pakistani’ Remark Against IAS Officer Fouzia Tarannum
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) N Ravikumar has been booked by police in Karnataka following a complaint over a controversial remark he made against Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Tarannum, reportedly likening her to someone from Pakistan.
The alleged comments were made during a BJP protest on 24 May, according to police on Tuesday.
Ravikumar, expressing remorse, later retracted his statement and described it as a "slip of tongue". His remark drew sharp criticism, with the IAS Officers' Association voicing strong support for Tarannum.
The BJP leader had accused the IAS officer of acting under instructions from the Congress party and allegedly said, "She seems to have come from Pakistan."
Following public outrage, he issued an apology, calling the remark "intemperate but inadvertent".
A case has been registered at Station Bazaar police station, and investigations are ongoing.
The IAS Officers' Association condemned the comments, demanding an "unconditional apology" from Ravikumar for his "irresponsible and unacceptable comments".
"Fouzia Tarannum, IAS is an officer of impeccable integrity with an exemplary track record and deep dedication to public service and the State," the Association said in a statement.
It further stated: "Remarks made by Ravi Kumar against her are baseless, unjustified, and entirely devoid of rationale. Such provocative and false statements not only malign the dignity of committed civil servants but also inflict severe mental trauma and amount to harassment in the line of duty."
Reaffirming their support, the Association expressed "firm solidarity" with Tarannum and their concern about attempts to "publicly undermine the reputation of an officer serving the people of Karnataka with sincerity, distinction and dedicated service in general."
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also condemned Ravikumar's statement, calling it "intolerable" and a "hate-inducing" comment. "So, the Police have booked a criminal case against him, I strongly condemn his statement," he told reporters.
Tarannum, meanwhile, refrained from engaging directly with the controversy, stating: "I would rather let my work speak for itself," and continued to focus on her official responsibilities.
Who is Fouzia Tarannum?
Fouzia Tarannum is a 2015-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer currently serving as the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Kalaburagi, Karnataka.
She was honoured with the Best Electoral Practices Award by the President of India in January 2025 for her exemplary work in managing electoral rolls during the 2024 elections.
Tarannum initially joined the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) in 2011 before clearing the civil services again to enter the IAS in 2014.
Her notable contributions include championing local initiatives such as branding Kalaburagi Rotti and reintroducing millet as a staple food, efforts that earned her the Excellence in Governance Award.
Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Sign in with Google