Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, from North Mumbai Ward, Gopal Shetty (64) stepped down from his post on Friday, July 6, after sparking a row, calling Christians ‘angrez’ (foreigners). Shetty’s controversial remark came while he was addressing a gathering during the Eid-E-Milad organised by the Shia Kabrastan Committee at Malvani in Malad in Mumbai on Sunday.
“I just said Catholics may not be in freedom struggle because it was the British rule.” “I have my freedom of expression and this statement can be debated if needed. I have offered my resignation from MP post to Maharashtra BJP president and now it is up to the party. I do not want to embarrass my party,” added Shetty.
The BJP leader, however, claimed innocence saying that his words were wrongly interpreted. He further said that he has not said anything which could subject him to an apology. He expressed unhappiness towards his party for withdrawing support and not standing by him.
Mumbai BJP president and MLA from Bandra West Ashish Shelar said that Shetty was asked to withdraw the statement. Defending Shetty, Shelar said that the BJP MP didn’t mean what he said. The party, however, doesn’t support such statements, added Shelar saying that they fully support the Christian community.
The BJP leader had on Sunday claimed that it was only the Hindus and the Muslims who played a role in India’s freedom struggle and not the Christians.
“Christians were British, hence they didn’t participate in the freedom movement. India was not freed by Hindus or Muslims, we fought as one, as Hindustanis for our independence,” Shetty can be heard as saying in the video.
The Congress were quick to lash out at his comments and demanded Mr Shetty’s resignation, calling him a repeat offender. “Shetty has a history of inappropriate remarks,” said Mumbai Congress leader Bhushan Patil.
Two years ago, Mr. Gopal Shetty had stirred trouble for his party by describing farmer suicides as “fashion”.
He had said: “All suicides do not happen because of unemployment or hunger. It has become fashion these days. If the Maharashtra Government is giving Rs. 5 lakh as compensation, the other state gives 7 and the next 8 lakh. There is competition in giving compensation to farmers.”
Later, confronting outrage and opposition attacks, Mr. Gopal Shetty said he had meant to use the word “competition” and should have been more careful.