Patna, March 1: Bihar Excise and Prohibition Minister Abdul Jalil Mastan has apologised after he was caught on camera asking his supporters to beat up a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with shoes. “I apologise if my statement or statements of my people have hurt anyone,” Mastan said on Wednesday.
Mastan had raked up a storm after his video went viral. In the video, Mastan can be heard calling PM Modi a ‘naxalite’ and a ‘dacoit’. The video shows Mastan inciting his supporters following which his supporters beat up a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with slippers and also hurling verbal abuses on him.
The video was reportedly shot on February 22 during a protest rally against demonetisation in Purnia district. Mastan can be heard calling Modi a ‘dacoit’ for ‘stealing people’s money’ after demonetisation.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had earlier in the day denounced Mastan for his statements, saying they were wrong. “This is wrong,” Kumar had said when asked about his reaction on the video.
BJP leaders have demanded the removal of Mastan who. BJP leaders say that he has had a history of controversial statements and actions that would have landed anyone else in jail. BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said the party would raise the issue in both Houses of Bihar Assembly demanding the removal of Mastan. “One can have ideological difference. But, the Constitution does not allow a person, who is a minister in a state, to incite a crowd and to humiliate a Prime Minister in this manner,” Sushil Modi said.
The Congress has also expressed regret over Bihar ministers act. State Congress President and Education Minister Ashok Choudhary, however, said that those in public life should mind what they speak in public.
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