On camera, Karnataka minister’s middle finger to Donald Trump over hellhole remark
Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad showing middle finger, condemning Donald Trump's recent remark on India.
Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad has courted a major controversy after showing a middle finger while reacting to remarks by US President Donald Trump, who recently referred to India as a "hellhole". Lad said the comment insulted both the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, prompting his strong reaction during a press conference in Ballari.
The incident occurred in Sandur in Ballari district, where Lad lashed out at Trump's remarks and criticised the Centre for what he described as silence on the issue.
"He (Trump) has insulted our Prime Minister, and of late, recently, he has told hellhole, he has called India a hellhole. Mr. Trump, you are a Mad Max. I know you are the President of America, doesn't mean that you can speak whatever you want to speak about my country. I really want to condemn the way you are told about my country. I can show you a middle finger also, but from this very particular platform, we stand united and say, please, Trump, go ahead," Lad said.
His remarks, coupled with the inappropriate gesture, have triggered sharp reactions, with critics calling it undiplomatic while supporters argue it reflects public anger over Trump's statements.
Lad also accused the Prime Minister and central leadership of failing to respond strongly, terming their silence "embarrassing."
The controversy erupted with a post shared by Trump on Truth Social recently, where he endorsed content criticising birthright citizenship in the US.
The post, originally linked to conservative commentator Michael Savage, described countries including India and China as "hellholes on the planet".
It claimed that birthright citizenship allows immigrants to secure US citizenship for their children and later bring extended family members into the country.
"A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring in their entire family from China, or India or some other hellhole on the planet," the letter stated, drawing widespread backlash.
India instantly responded to the remarks, with the Ministry of External Affairs calling them "uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste".
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the remarks "uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste".
"They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests".
The US Embassy later attempted damage control, highlighting Trump's previous statements describing India as a "great country" and emphasising strong bilateral ties.
Meanwhile, political reactions within India have intensified. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the Prime Minister's silence, asking whether the government would respond to what he termed an "indignation" faced by Indians.
Democratic leaders in the US also criticised Trump, accusing him of amplifying divisive rhetoric.
The episode has added strain to the political discourse around India-US relations, with Lad's gesture becoming a flashpoint in the broader debate.
As reactions continue to pour in, the controversy is likely to fuel further political exchanges both domestically and internationally.
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