Bengaluru, August 31: Karnataka’s Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy defended his earlier statement praising Islam, asserting he did not imply that other religions are inferior.
Rayareddy questioned, “What is wrong with my statement? I said that Islam has noble ideas. I never claimed that other religions are lesser. I merely stated that Islam possesses excellent qualities. If I had said that Islam is the best, what would be wrong with that?”
Speaking at a free mass marriage ceremony for the Muslim community in Kukanur, Rayareddy described Islam as a great religion from which everyone can learn something.
In a press interaction on Monday, he clarified his comments regarding Islam, emphasizing that he has not made any statements against any religion and respects all faiths.
He mentioned that he has visited various religious and historical sites to study different religions and philosophies. “I traveled to Kashi and the Jyotirlingas for study purposes. I visited Israel to learn about Judaism. I also traveled to China to study Confucianism, Laoism, and Buddhism. I have been to Gaya as well,” he noted.
Rayareddy stated, “I am not affiliated with any religion or caste. I have no religion or caste. We belong to the religion of humanity.” Addressing his previous remarks about wanting to visit Mecca, he clarified that he did not mean to go for Hajj but intended to learn more about Islam. “I never said I would go for Hajj. I cannot go for Hajj. I want to visit Mecca for educational purposes,” he explained.
He emphasized, “I will not convert to Islam or Christianity. I have stated that all religions are great. I attended a community event where I had to speak about Islam. Did I say that Hinduism is bad? If I say this person is good and you interpret it as you being bad, what can I do? I respect all religions.”
Rayareddy added that he aims to start a new religion by adopting the positive aspects of all faiths. “Why can’t I start a new religion? I have not spoken against any religion. I have made no offensive comments about any faith.”
Meanwhile, BJP MLC C.T. Ravi criticized Rayareddy, stating he should be ashamed of his remarks. “Terrorist attacks are carried out in the name of Islam worldwide. If he claims this religion is the best, he lacks understanding. Perhaps he made this statement with an eye on the vote bank,” Ravi asserted.
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