Union minister and BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje has issued an apology to the people of Tamil Nadu for her controversial remarks on the Rameshwaram Cafe blast which took place in Bengaluru earlier this year.
Following the blast at the popular eatery in Bengaluru on March 1, Karandlaje had blamed “Tamilians” for coming to Karnataka to plant bombs.
This led to an outrage with a case being registered against her by the Madurai police.
She submitted an apology on Tuesday through an affidavit in the Madras High Court, where the minister expressed regret for any offence caused by her statements.
“I have the highest respect and regard for the history, rich culture, and traditions of Tamil Nadu and its people. I had no intention whatsoever to hurt their sentiments. Hence, I once again tender my apology to the people of Tamil Nadu for any distress caused by my comments,” the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Labour & Employment said.
In her affidavit filed before the bench of Justice G Jayachandran, Karandlaje said that she made the remarks while addressing the media without any intention to hurt the sentiments and feelings of the people of Tamil Nadu.
“.... Having understood that my comments had hurt the sentiments of some people, I have already retracted my previous remarks and tendered my profound apologies through social media platforms,” the Union Minister said.
Furthermore, Karandlaje said that she had already retracted her previous comments and tendered her “profound apologies through social media platforms”.
The affidavit was filed in connection with her plea to quash an FIR (first information report) registered against her by the Madurai City Cyber Crime, based on a complaint by a local resident.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled to take place on September 5.
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