Dr G Parameshwara was speaking at a Congress meeting for empowerment of minorities.
A statement by Karnataka Congress chief Dr G. Parameshwara that seemed to imply that minorities could be treated more leniently when it came to loan repayment has raised eyebrows. The BJP has said this, like Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde's earlier statement on being careful while arresting Muslims, was part of the Congress's divisive politics.
Dr Parameshwara was speaking at a Congress meeting for empowerment of minorities. While talking about loans and encouragement of minorities, he seemed to imply that loan repayment need not always be strictly enforced.
"People who come into that criteria (sic) could be given one, two, five acres of industrial land. A loan of 50 lakhs to start an industry. How would that be wrong? So many people have cheated you of crores. Not just one or two cases. Why can't our people cheat also?" Dr Parameshwara said. The statement was greeted with laughter from his audience.
"This is part of the developmental process. They may criticise me for saying this as party president - but I don't care about it," he added.
He also criticised the state's previous BJP government, saying, "They identify them (youth) - those who speak well, those who might be able to form groups, or those who have a voice in society. They are identified and cases filed against them - this was work done by the earlier BJP government.
Our government has guaranteed that you will not be troubled like this. Cases against those youth will be heard in fast track courts."
The opposition was quick to reply with charges of divisive politics with an eye on elections.
"He made a very objectionable, divisive statement - and it is an insult to Muslim and minority communities. He asked if others can cheat - why not you? And that being said by a ruling party president is really shocking," BJP's Venkaiah Naidu told reporters in Bangalore.
Dr Parameshwara has said his remarks had been misinterpreted. "I have already given a clarification," he told NDTV.