Minister's remarks cost his job

By B.K. Vittal

BANGALORE, JAN. 31. The Karnataka Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Infrastructure Development, Mr. T. John, resigned today following a storm over his remark that the Gujarat earthquake was ``god's punishment for the attacks on missionaries'' there.

Mr. John, who made the remark at the World Peace Day celebrations organised by a Christian organisation here on Tuesday, however denied this morning having said so. But, in his resignation letter, he expressed regrets for the remark which, he said, were not intentional.

The resignation came after a two-hour meeting the Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna, had with senior Cabinet colleagues and after BJP leaders submitted a memorandum demanding Mr. John's dismissal for his remark which ``created ill-will among various communities''.

Mr. John, who was present at the meeting, in a statement read out to the press later said he had resigned on his own after realising that his remarks might lead to a controversy. But it became apparent later that the decision was not voluntary. Senior Ministers, who viewed a videotape of the function addressed by Mr. John, were convinced that the remark was ``inappropriate.''

In his brief statement, the Minister said he was resigning to avoid any embarrassment to the Government, the Chief Minister and the Congress which stood for secular principles. The move was also aimed at preventing attempts being made to take political advantage and incite people.

Earlier, replying to a question by presspersons who contacted him after a BJP delegation called on him, whether he would seek the Minister's resignation or sack him, Mr. Krishna said this should be left to him. Mr. Krishna told the BJP delegation, led by Mr. B.S. Yediyurappa, MLC, that he would seek a clarification from Mr. John.

Addressing a press conference before meeting the Chief Minister, the BJP leaders said that Mr. John alone was `rejoicing' when the whole country was distressed at the extensive damage to life and property in Gujarat.

The BJP also demanded the Minister's arrest for inciting hatred among different religious groups. Mr. Yediyurappa, and MLAs, Mr. Suresh Kumar and Mr. A. Ramdas, demanded that he be expelled from the Congress. His statement reflected a ``dirty mind'' coming as it did when Gujarat was facing a disaster.

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