Mumbai — Member of Parliament of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Gopal Shetty stirred a controversy last Sunday by passing derogatory remarks against the Christian community by referring them as “Angrez” (British) who didn’t contribute in the Indian Freedom struggle.
A video went viral on Thursday where Shetty was shot making anti-Christians remarks at Eid Milan function in Malad suburb.
Shetty said, “Christians were ‘angrez’, hence they didn’t join in the Indian freedom struggle. India was not freed by a Hindu or a Muslim, we fought as one for our Independence.”
Resonding to the Shetty’s hate-speech, Maharashtra Congress President Ashok Chavan said, “It reflects despicably communal mindset of the BJP. Freedom struggle is the epitome of sacrifices made by all communities including Christians. Shetty must know that only RSS was in support of the British.”
Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam demanded that Shetty must tender “an apology to the entire Christian community of India as he has no knowledge of history or the contribution of the Christians in the independence movement”.
Soon after the video went viral on Thursday, on Friday Janet DSouza General Secretary of All India Mahila Cngress, and Ajanta Yadav President of Mumbai Mahila Congress held a protest outside Shetty’s office in Borivali West for his loose remarks.
Meanwhile, Two Christian activists Mavis Fernandes and Jerad Lobo filed a written complaint against Shetty to Police in Malvani.
However, on Friday, BJP state spokesperson Madhav Bhandari told the media that the party’s top leaders and state BJP President Raosaheb Patil-Danve have spoken with Shetty and the party stood by him.
