In a campaign address in Gujarat on Friday, veteran actor Paresh Rawal clarified for a comment he made about gas cylinders, Bengalis, and fish. He clarified that his reference was to illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas.
The apology was made in response to a significant backlash on social media from the Bengali community and other groups.
“Of course, the fish is not the issue as Gujaratis do cook and eat fish. But let me clarify by Bengali I meant illegal Bangladeshi N Rohingya. But still, if I have hurt your feelings and sentiments I do apologise,” he wrote on Twitter.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra did not seem to be satisfied. “Actually Kemchho Slapstickman need not have apologised. The 2nd part of Cook Fish like Bengalis is ‘Have Brains like Bengalis’. Most Nobel laureates than any other Indian state, buddy boy,” she wrote on Twitter.
At a BJP rally on Tuesday in the Valsad district, Rawal brought up the price of gas cylinders, a contentious election issue. “Gas cylinders are expensive, but their price will come down. People will get employment too. But what will happen if Rohingya migrants and Bangladeshis start living around you, like in Delhi?” he said. “What will you do with gas cylinders? Cook fish for the Bengalis?”
The first phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections was held on Thursday and the second phase will take place on December 5. The votes will be counted on December 8.
