Controversial Comments Spark Walkout by BJP MLAs in West Bengal Assembly

BJP MLAs in the West Bengal Assembly walked out multiple times on Wednesday in protest of senior minister Firhad Hakim’s comments promoting the spread of Islam among non-Muslims. Hakim defended his remarks as secular and unrelated to politics. TMC and BJP clashed over the issue, causing significant disruptions.

BJP MLAs in the West Bengal Assembly staged multiple walkouts on Wednesday each time senior minister Firhad Hakim stood to address questions, protesting his recent comments at an event that emphasized the need to spread Islam among non-Muslims.

The BJP legislators, led by chief whip Shankar Ghosh, left the House three times in one day, demanding that Hakim retract his statements. Hakim, who is also the urban development minister and Kolkata mayor, insisted that his comments were secular and not politically motivated.

Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay called the series of walkouts "unconstitutional" and "unprecedented," urging BJP members to uphold Assembly decorum. Agriculture Minister Shobhandeb Chatterjee criticized the BJP's actions, claiming they are setting a new precedent in opposition behavior. The controversy originated from Hakim's remarks at the 'All India Quran Competition' earlier this month.

(With inputs from agencies.)