Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, April 27: Excise minister R B Timmapur has sparked a major controversy by asserting that the terrorists responsible for the recent attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, likely did not ask the victims about their religion before shooting them dead.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Timmapur dismissed the claims that the terrorists in Pahalgam selectively targeted victims based on their religion. "I don’t think the terrorists would have asked the victims their religion before carrying out the killings," the Minister said, asserting that such an approach was impractical during a terror attack.

“Think about it logically," he added, “a terrorist who is shooting doesn’t stop to ask about religion or caste. He is there to kill, not to inquire about the background of the victim.”

The minister’s comments have stirred up heated reactions, with many questioning his stance on the sensitive issue. Timmapur further argued that while the entire nation is shocked by the brutality of the attack, there seems to be a "conspiracy" to give the incident a "communal spin."

Timmapur also stated that even if it were true that the terrorists did ask about religion, it should not be allowed to fuel political arguments or be twisted into a communal issue. "We must not politicise the matter and turn it into a religious debate," he emphasised.

However, his remarks came in the midst of a broader political controversy surrounding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had previously made a statement about the "intelligence failure" in handling national security. Siddaramaiah also faced backlash after commenting that war should only be waged when absolutely necessary.

The chief minister further suggested that India should proceed with caution when dealing with Pakistan, describing the neighbouring country as a "bankrupt, ailing nation" with little left to lose. As a rising global power, he argued, India should tread carefully in its approach towards Pakistan.

Siddaramaiah’s comments immediately caused a stir, with the Karnataka BJP accusing him of being too soft on Pakistan. R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, slammed the chief minister for his remarks, accusing him of behaving like a "puppet of the enemy nation."

Ashoka shared a video on social media of a Pakistani news channel airing Siddaramaiah’s statement, and in a post, he referred to the chief minister as "Pakistan Ratna." He added, "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, you’ve become world famous in Pakistan overnight because of your childish and absurd statements."

This ongoing controversy has further intensified the political debate in Karnataka, especially as both the Pahalgam attack and Siddaramaiah’s remarks continue to capture national attention. The comments by Timmapur and Siddaramaiah have sparked heated discussions on national security, communalism, and the political landscape of the state.