Actor Paresh Rawal has allegedly drawn a lot of flak after he said that Gujarat would tolerate inflation but not “Bangladeshis and Rohingya”. While speaking about the high prices of gas cylinders, Paresh Rawal went on to say that “what will you do with gas cylinders? cook fish for the Bengalis?”
The renowned Bollywood actor was campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday in Valsad when he landed in this huge controversy with his viral comments on Bengalis. However, he apologised for the remark later, after facing huge criticism from Bengalis.
Paresh Rawal apologised on Twitter, the actor said: “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.”
Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra was among those who reacted angrily to the actor’s “apology.” TMC’s Mohua Moitra said on Twitter, “Actually Kemchho Slapstickman need not have apologised. The second part of Cook Fish like Bengalis is “Have Brains like Bengalis.” Most nobel laureates than any other Indian state, buddy boy.”
Meanwhile, Saket Gokhale, spokesperson of West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress said on Twitter, “Bengalis don’t need you to “cook fish” for them. Remember you too have made your career in Maharashtra where we lovingly fed you dhokla and fafda. Withdraw and apologize for these despicable remarks you made against Bengal on orders of BJP in Gujarat.”
Garga Chatterjee, General Secretary of Bangla Pokkho said, “Bollywood Hindi film item and Anti-Bengali hatemonger Paresh Rawal says Bengali means illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya. He also demonized Bengalis, taunting our fish eating. As General Secretary of Bangla Pokkho, I declare no film of Paresh Rawal will be allowed to be screened in Bengal.”
