Ahead of Maharashtra elections, BJP MP Gopal Shetty has sparked a huge uproar saying that Christians were “Angrez” and had no participation in India’s freedom struggle.
Speaking at Eid-E-Milad organised by Shia Kabrastan Committee in Malad, Shetty on Sunday claimed that India was not freed by either Hindus or Muslims and called Christians as Britishers dismissing their participation in the freedom struggle.
Hindus or Muslims did not free the country, we participated as one, as Hindustanis in our freedom struggle. Christians, on the other hand, did not participate in the movement as they were Britishers,” Senior BJP MP Gopal Shetty said at an event on Sunday.
Reacting to Shetty's comments, Congress has demanded his resignation over this issue.
Shetty has a history of making inappropriate remarks. Earlier, the BJP MP had spoken against Farmers committing suicide saying that it has become a fashion,” Mumbai Congress General Secretary Bhushan Patil hit out on Shetty for his remarks.
However, BJP has sidelined itself from Shetty’s remarks, saying that remarks made by the BJP MP are not the party’s official stand.
BJP respects every religion and participation of everyone in the freedom struggle irrespective of their religion,” Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar told Mumbai Live.
Remarks made by the senior BJP leader has sparked a major row. Reacting to this, All India Mahila Congress General Secretary Janet D’souza has planned to carry out a huge silent protest against Shetty’s “abusive” remarks against the Christian Community. The protest will be held outside Gopal Shetty’s office at 2:00 in the afternoon on Friday.
Gopal Shetty was unavailable and could not be contacted. However, Mumbai BJP Vice President Hyder Azam was also present in the event where Shetty made these remarks.
Sometimes you end up saying things you don't mean and his statement has been misinterpreted," Azam said defending Shetty over his remarks.
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