West Bengal: KMC Mayor Firhad Hakim Calls Himself 'Diehard Indian & Secular' Amid Communal Speech Controversy

Kolkata: After a controversial ‘communal’ speech, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Mayor and Trinamool Congress (TMC) minister Firhad Hakim on Sunday called himself to be a ‘diehard Indian and secular’.

“I am a diehard Indian and secular person and I will die as a secular person,” said Hakim following criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and a section of Hindu monks.

Notably, controversy started after BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya took to X and posted a video where Hakim while addressing a programme of minority students, said, “In West Bengal, we (Muslims) are 33 per cent and nationwide, we are 17 per cent. We (Muslims) don’t think we are a minority. If Allah wants, we will become the majority one day.”

Defending her father, Hakim’s daughter Priyadarshini Hakim also said, “I can’t call myself a minority as I am educated and also do a job for the last 14 years. Those who want to malign will continue to do so. It is insulting to always prove yourself Indian.”

Kartik Maharaj of Bharat Sevashram also slammed Hakim for his comment.

“He (Hakim) didn’t say that they will further develop the country but said that the minorities will become the majority. We all should prepare for another Independence,” said Kartik Maharaj.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, “Such communal comments are nothing new for Hakim. Once he said that those who are not born in Islam religion are unfortunate. He even compared a particular place in Kolkata as ‘mini-Pakistan’.”

Former IPS officer and TMC MLA of Belda Humayun Kabir also slammed Hakim for his comment.