Karnataka Excise Minister's 'Offer Respectfully' Remark Sparks Bribe Row

Karnataka Excise Minister KM Shivalinge Gowda has found himself at the centre of a political storm after remarks made at a public meeting were interpreted by critics as an endorsement of paying officials.

The minister, who also serves as the in-charge minister for Hassan district, was speaking at a Praja Seva Andolana gathering in Sakleshpur when members of the audience raised complaints about being forced to pay bribes to get official work done.

Responding to a question, Gowda said officials would perform their duties, and then added that whatever a person wished to offer could be given respectfully, describing it as their dharma, while stressing that no one should take money by force.

The comment appeared to take sections of the audience aback, and one agitated member asked why money should be given respectfully at all. The minister replied that he had not asked anyone to give money, but to give respect.

The exchange, captured on video, was seized upon by the opposition BJP, which accused the ruling Congress of encouraging bribery. Leader of Opposition R Ashok attacked the government, alleging that a department set up to hear public grievances was now urging people to pay bribes, and claimed the minister's words amounted to saying that accepting bribes was the government's duty. BJP MLA Bharat Shetty also criticised the minister, saying he was explaining how a bribe ought to be given respectfully.

Facing the backlash, Gowda rejected the interpretation of his remarks, saying he had only spoken about showing respect to officials who complete people's work. He maintained that the viral video clearly showed him stating that bribes should not be given to officers for any reason, and accused the BJP of circulating a maliciously edited clip to defame the government.

Separately, activist Dinesh Kalahalli has lodged a complaint with Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot against the minister over the alleged remarks.