The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) censured state minister Kolkata civic body’s mayor Firhad Hakim for his comments stating that Muslim community will become “majority” in the country.
Hakim’s remark drew a flak from all opposition parties in West Bengal.
Condemning Hakim’s statement, The TMC said in a statement, “The All India Trinamool Congress firmly disassociates itself from and strongly condemns the statement made by Shri Firhad Hakim MIC, GoWB, at an event day before yesterday. These comments do not reflect the party’s position or ideology.
Our commitment to peace, unity and communal harmony remains unwavering. Any remarks that threaten the social fabric of West Bengal will be met with strict measures.”
Recently, the Bharatiya Janata Party shared a video on its social media platform in which Hakim, presently the state municipal affairs and urban development minister, was seen addressing a gathering.
In the purported video, Hakim was seen addressing a gathering, “In West Bengal, we are 33 per cent and across the country, we are only 17 per cent. We are called the minority community in India. But in the coming days, we will no longer remain a minority. We believe that if Allah has grace on us and education is with us, then we will become the majority.”
Facing criticism by the opposition and his colleagues within the party, Hakim tried to downplay the controversy by claiming to be secular. But sources in the TMC said chief minister Mamata Banerjee was not happy with his remarks.
Hakim made the statement at a time when the BJP is trying to highlight the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh to secure the party’s electoral dividend in West Bengal by consolidating Hindu votes in its favour.
Sensing the BJP’s political intention, Mamata, too, is desperate to retain her party’s Hindu vote-share. “West Bengal is ready to accommodate the minorities in Bangladesh if the Centre allows them to come to India,” Mamata said in the assembly recently.
The TMC successfully consolidated the 30 percent of the state’s electorates in its favour and the party still enjoys the support of 15 per cent to 18 per cent of Hindu votes.
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