{
  "id": 4653821,
  "title": "Rayaraddi clarifies that he treats all faiths equally",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/rayaraddi-clarifies-that-he-treats-all-faiths-equally",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T14:16:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/rayaraddi-clarifies-that-he-treats-all-faiths-equally/article71411332.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayaraddi clarified on Monday that he treats all faiths equally and does not intend to disrespect any religion. Addressing reporters in Yelburga, Rayaraddi stated that he only highlighted the positive values of Islam and never suggested other faiths were any less significant. He insisted that all religions are great and that his comments should be understood in the context in which they were made. Rayaraddi explained that he has studied Islam, Christianity, and Judaism and visited holy places associated with different faiths, including the tomb of Jesus Christ. Regarding his remarks on the Haj pilgrimage, he said there is nothing wrong with expressing a desire to visit the holy city and that he gave up the idea because he believed a person would have to convert to Islam to do so. Rayaraddi reiterated that his comments focused on the good in Islam and did not speak against any religion. He emphasized that the virtues of different faiths should be reflected in people's lives and that religion should not be used for political gain.",
  "summary": "He said that he does not belong to any religion and that his comments have to be understood in the context in which they have been made",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}