Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday, 29 June launched a sharp attack on Karnataka Congress President B.K. Hariprasad over his recent 'Gandhi-Godse-Cow' remarks, accusing him of stoking communal divisions to curry favour with the Congress high command. Joshi's broadside came in response to a speech Hariprasad allegedly delivered in Mysuru, where he claimed that 'those who kill cattle go to jail, while those who kill humans become PMs and CMs.'

Joshi's Charge on X

In a post on X on Monday, Pralhad Joshi described Hariprasad's remarks as a reflection of political frustration and said they represented the lowest standards of public discourse. He alleged the statements were designed to disturb communal harmony rather than address genuine public concerns. Joshi argued that Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers across the country are democratically elected through a constitutional process, and drawing derogatory comparisons with holders of such offices amounts to disrespecting both those institutions and the mandate of the citizens who elected them.

Congress Accused of Appeasement Politics

The Union Minister charged that ever since the Indian National Congress (INC) came to power in Karnataka, the state government had sidelined public welfare in favour of appeasement politics and vote-bank calculations. He alleged the Congress leadership had consistently prioritised political gains over governance and development. Joshi also took aim at what he called the party's selective invocation of Mahatma Gandhi's ideals — preaching truth and non-violence while abandoning those principles whenever it suited electoral interests.

Historical Failures and Emergency Reference

Going further, Joshi charged the Congress with conveniently overlooking its own historical record, including the imposition of the Emergency, while resorting to provocative statements to deflect attention from its governance shortcomings. He alleged the party was attempting to revive its fading political fortunes by aligning itself with what he called 'fake Gandhis' for electoral gains — a remark widely read as a reference to the Gandhi family's political branding.

Call for Respect Toward Constitutional Offices

Joshi urged Hariprasad and the Congress leadership to first demonstrate respect for constitutional institutions and the dignity of public office before lecturing others on morality. He described the remarks as irresponsible, socially harmful, and driven purely by political desperation. The Minister expressed confidence that the people of Karnataka would deliver a fitting electoral response to what he characterised as divisive and reckless politics.

What Comes Next

The controversy is likely to intensify political temperatures in Karnataka ahead of local body elections. The Congress has not yet issued a formal response to Joshi's post. Hariprasad's original remarks in Mysuru have not been independently verified by NationPress, and the full context of his speech remains disputed.