West Bengal: TMC ‘Disassociates’ Itself From Firhad Hakim’s ‘Communal’ Statement

Kolkata: Amid controversy over Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Mayor and Trinamool Congress (TMC) minister Firhad Hakim’s ‘communal’ comment, TMC on Monday had distanced itself from Hakim’s comment.

Taking to social media, TMC said, “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.”

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.”

After the controversy Hakim however, had clarified that he is ‘diehard secular Indian’. TMC MLA and former IPS officer Humayun Kabir slammed Hakim for such a comment.

“Socio-economy development should be done for the minorities. More education should be given to the minorities. We need quality and not quantity. If you are capable of raising two children then one should not bring more than two children,” said Kabir.

Meanwhile, a Bengali outfit ‘Bangla Paksha’ demonstrated outside KMC demanding removal of Hakim from Mayor’s post.