State health minister Dinesh Gundurao admitted corruption is everywhere in India .

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has admitted that corruption persists at various levels in India, including within the Central government and enforcement agencies like the Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate. He emphasized that merely pointing fingers at individuals is not enough — the focus must be on systematic action to curb corruption.

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Gundu Rao was responding to a viral audio clip allegedly featuring Congress MLA B.R. Patil, in which he purportedly claims that housing allotments were being made only to those who paid bribes. “I’m not aware of the details of that audio. B.R. Patil himself should clarify. If something improper has happened and he provides concrete information, action will definitely be taken,” the minister said.

He acknowledged the prevalence of corruption across departments. “Let us not pretend there is no corruption. Even in central agencies like the IT and ED, there are officials who are corrupt. This is the reality, and efforts must be made to root it out,” he added.

On a separate issue, Gundu Rao commented on the notice issued by Kundapura police to noted intellectual Chakravarthy Sulibele for making political statements at a public event. “If someone makes a hate speech, a notice will obviously be issued. But if the speech was appropriate, why should there be any police action?” he asked.

He also questioned the selective targeting of opposition figures. “If I or anyone else delivers a hate speech, legal action should be taken. But was Rahul Gandhi’s speech really hateful when cases were filed against him?” Gundu Rao said, pointing to what he described as the misuse of law to suppress dissent.

The minister's statements underline the Congress government’s stance on accountability, while simultaneously raising questions about the impartiality of enforcement actions in political contexts.