Bengaluru, August 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Karnataka Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy on Monday defended his recent remarks describing Islam as a superior religion, saying he had praised the faith’s values without suggesting that other religions were inferior.
“What’s wrong with my statement? I stated that there are noble thoughts in Islam. I have not stated that other religions are inferior. I stated that Islam has excellent qualities, that’s all. What’s wrong if I had stated that Islam is superior? … No religion is bad,” Rayareddy told reporters.
The minister’s remarks come amid a political controversy over comments he made at a mass marriage ceremony organised for members of the Muslim community in Kukanur to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. At the event, he had described Islam as a great religion and said there was something to learn from every faith.
Rayareddy maintained that he respects all religions and said his interest in different faiths stems from his efforts to study their philosophies and teachings.
“I had gone to Kashi and Jyotirlingas… I had gone to Israel to study Judaism. I have travelled to China to study Confucius, Lao and Buddhism. I went to Gaya,” he said.
He also referred to visits to sites associated with Christianity and Buddhism, including Israel and Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka.
“I visited the site believed to be the samadhi (tomb) of Jesus Christ in Israel. I have gone to Anuradhapura… I go to study, but I am not a follower of any religion,” the minister said.
Rayareddy said he did not identify himself with any particular religion or caste, describing humanity as his faith.
“I do not belong to any religion or caste. I have no religion and caste. We are of the human religion,” he said.
Clarifying his earlier reference to Mecca, he said he wanted to visit the city to study Islam and was not referring to undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage.
“I did not say that I will go for Hajj. I can’t go to Hajj. But I want to go to Mecca for studying,” he said.
The minister rejected allegations that his praise for Islam amounted to criticism of Hinduism or any other religion.
“I will not get converted to Islam or Christianity. I have stated that all religions are superior… Have I stated that the Hindu religion is bad? … I respect all religions,” he maintained.
Rayareddy said he wanted to focus on the positive values shared by different faiths, even suggesting that he could create a new religion based on their good qualities.
“I will establish a new religion by keeping the good characters of all religions,” he said.
He also said his reference to the Quran was made in the context of its teachings about humanity.
Addressing criticism over his comments about not frequently visiting temples and mutts, Rayareddy said his remarks had been misunderstood. He clarified that he meant he would not visit such places without purpose but would go when invited.
Rayareddy also cited a Vachana of 12th-century philosopher and social reformer Basavanna — “Kallabeda, kolabeda, husiya nudiyalu beda” — which stresses the values of not stealing, killing or lying.
Meanwhile, BJP MLC C.T. Ravi sharply criticised the minister and accused him of making the remarks for political reasons.
“If he is saying that this religion is superior, then he must have no brains. Or perhaps he made the statement keeping the vote bank in mind,” Ravi said.
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