IAS cadre stands by DC Tarannum after BJP MLC’s ‘Pakistani’ slur

Bengaluru: The IAS fraternity across the country closed ranks on Monday in a show of solidarity, castigating Karnataka BJP MLC and Opposition chief whip N Ravikumar for allegedly referring to Kalaburagi deputy commissioner Fouzia Tarannum as a "Pakistani".

The slur, which triggered outrage among serving and retired bureaucrats, led to an FIR against the MLC under multiple sections of BNS, including the SC/ST Atrocities Act, based on a complaint filed by social activist Dattatreya.

IAS officers condemned the comment as an attack not just on an officer, but on the civil services, and demanded an unconditional apology from Ravikumar.

Later Monday, Ravikumar issued a statement, saying: "It was a slip of the tongue, and I made these intemperate remarks inadvertently. I express my regret. I have withdrawn these remarks."

However, many officers termed the apology inadequate.

Tripura's resident commissioner in Delhi, Sonal Goel, said the remarks "must be strongly condemned by all quarters". Drawing parallels with the targeting of Army officer Col Sofiya Qureshi, Goel wrote: "A few weeks back, it was an Army officer … Today, similar doubts have been cast on a civil servant. Again, a woman, again in service, again with integrity beyond question. Is it mere coincidence?"

Goel added: "Officers do not wear their personal identity on their sleeves, but carry the Tiranga, the law, and the responsibilities entrusted on them by the people. But today, I feel compelled to say that no woman, no officer, and certainly no Indian should be made to feel like a stranger in her own land."

Retired IPS officer M N Reddi and serving IAS officer L K Atheeq (additional chief secretary to chief minister Siddaramaiah) also expressed solidarity with Tarannum. A delegation of IAS officers led by ACS Gaurav Gupta met Siddaramaiah and submitted a memorandum, seeking action against Ravikumar.

According to the FIR, Ravikumar questioned whether Tarannum "belongs to India or Pakistan", accused her of disloyalty "due to her religion", insulted police officers by calling them "slaves", and said he wasn't sure "whether Kalaburagi is in Karnataka or Pakistan".

Reacting to this rather unsavoury controversy that has landed one of his own partymen in hot water, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra cited political vendetta. "The Congress govt in Karnataka is targeting Opposition parties and leaders, trying to intimidate them by filing police cases ... This is a clear attempt to target the Opposition," he said.