Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday demanded an apology from Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav for his “dirty people” remark on those protesting alleged disparity in railway recruitment. “He (Lalu Yadav) should take back his words, spoken in an uncivilised manner. It is a serious matter which the Prime Minister has to take seriously,” he told reporters in Bangalore.

Equating Lalu’s remarks to that of Raj Thackeray’s provocative statements against north Indians in Maharastra, Kumaraswamy alleged the Railway Minister has been trying to provoke Kannadiga sentiments.

There is nothing for the people of Karnataka to learn from Lalu as they know how he ruled Bihar for 15 years and ruined it, Kumaraswamy said, referring to Lalu’s suggestion that Kannadigas should learn to be competitive instead of demanding quota in jobs. The former CM also said he would write to the Prime Minister lodging a complaint against Lalu’s provocative remarks.

In a press statement, BSP national secretary PGR Sindhia said Lalu has hurt the sentiments of people of Karnataka.  There is a general feeling that Karnataka received some justice only when C K Jaffer Sharief was the railway minister.

Lalu should come out with statistics indicating how many people have been recruited from each state and the projects sanctioned for each state, Sindhia
stated.

BJP condemns

The BJP has also strongly condemned the minister’s remark, and threatened to launch a State-wide agitation if he does not tender an apology.

The Railway Ministry is keeping the people of Karnataka in the dark about the D ground employee recruitment process.  

Public notices in this regard are released only in Bihar so that only candidates from that State can take part in the recruitment process, the party alleged in a release.

THE OFFICIAL VERSION

Chief Public Relations Officer, South Western Railway has stated that Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has high regards for Kannadigas and their culture.

This statement comes in the wake of media reports that Lalu called Kannadigas as ‘dirty people’ at a function in Tumkur when journalists asked him why Kannadigas were not getting priority in the railway
recruitment.

The press release issued by B S Dasarath, Chief Public Relations Officer, said the word ‘dirty people’ did not refer to Kannadigas but referred to those people who have a tendency to encourage divisive and regional feelings in different parts of the country to create hatred among the people for their vested interests.