Paresh Rawal has apologised for his controversial remark about Bangladeshi migrants and Rohingyas. The actor-turned-politician was campaigning for the BJP in Gujarat's Valsad when he made a remark about a future where Gujaratis will have to cook and feed fish to Bengalis.
He said: "People will get employment, but when Bangladeshis and Rohingyas will live around you like in Delhi, what will you do? With the gas cylinder, will you cook fish for those Bengalis? So, you have to understand this."
"You have to be safe from these things. You will tolerate inflation for once. Gujarati people can bear the inflation, but this, you won't be able to. You wouldn't even know where this termite will bite you," he added.
The video shared by Desh Gujarat was widely circulated on social media and became the centre of a controversy.
Rawal took to Twitter to clarify his statement and apologise. He wrote: "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 and Rohingya. But still, If I have hurt your feelings and sentiments, I do apologise."
TMC MP Mahua Moitra was among those who responded to his apology. She tweeted: "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…."
Some Twitter users also said illegal immigrants are the responsibility of Amit Shah's department and asked: "Are you saying BSF doesn't guard the borders properly?" Others called the speech "xenophobia and dog whistling against Rohingya and Bangladesh Muslims."