"Had No Intention To Hurt Anyone": Bengal Minister On Row Over His Remarks

Firhad Hakim, the state's urban development minister and also Kolkata's mayor, told the assembly on Thursday that he is a Muslim but regularly organises Durga Puja and Kali Puja.

West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim claimed that his remarks at a religious event were "misinterpreted" and he had no intention to hurt anyone, amid protests by the opposition BJP.

Mr Hakim, the state's urban development minister and also Kolkata's mayor, told the assembly on Thursday that he is a Muslim but regularly organises Durga Puja and Kali Puja.

BJP MLAs were staging walkouts whenever Hakim was rising to speak in the House over the remarks he made at the All India Quran Competition last month.