‘If kumkum comes from Islamic countries, will Hindus stop applying tilak ?’ : Cong. HM Priyank Kharge

Anti-Hindu statement by Congress Home Minister Priyank Kharge !

Bengaluru (Karnataka) – “Kumkum is made from saffron. (The Congress Home Minister deserves an award for this remarkable ‘discovery’ ! – Editor) Ninety per cent of kumkum comes from Islamic countries. If that is so, will Hindus stop applying tilak tomorrow ?” questioned Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge. Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he said that “these people (the RSS and the BJP) do not even like to look towards those countries (Islamic countries).” He made these remarks while addressing a programme organised here.

🚨 Congress Minister Under Fire for Bizarre Claim! 🚨

​Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has sparked intense criticism after claiming that Kumkum is made from saffron (kesar) imported from Islamic countries, questioning if Hindus would stop wearing it. 🧐❌

​Here are the… pic.twitter.com/MfsAO4PP5S

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) July 8, 2026

1. As soon as the video of Priyank Kharge’s remarks was circulated, it drew criticism. Many people pointed out on social media that kumkum is not made from saffron but is prepared using indigenous ingredients such as turmeric and slaked lime. They also remarked that the Home Minister was not even aware of this basic fact.

2. Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje also criticised Priyank Kharge over the video, stating that he does not even know how kumkum is made.

Editorial Perspective

In reality, the largest quantity of kumkum is produced in India. Therefore, the question of purchasing it from Islamic countries or Hindus refusing to use it does not arise at all. Instead of wasting his time asking such questions about Hindus, the Congress Home Minister would do better to use his time and intellect to maintain law and order in Karnataka !