Mayor Firhad Hakim claims minorities may surpass majority, sparks BJP outrage

Kolkata Mayor and West Bengal Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim has triggered a significant political controversy with his comments regarding the minority community's demographic status. Speaking at the ‘Firhad 30’ event at Dhanadhan Auditorium, Hakim discussed the percentage of minorities in West Bengal and India. He stated, “In Bengal, we are 33 percent. But in the country, we are 17 percent,” referring to the Muslim community. He then added, “We are called minorities, but we do not consider ourselves as minorities. We believe that, with the blessings of the Almighty, one day we can become more numerous than the majority. With the blessings of the Almighty, we will achieve this.”

Hakim’s statement immediately attracted strong reactions from various political figures. BJP leaders, including state secretary Sukanta Majumdar, strongly criticized the comments. Majumdar described Hakim’s remarks as communal and divisive, accusing him of attempting to create a divide between the majority and minority communities. He referred to the comments as a form of hate speech, warning that they could deepen religious tensions in the state. BJP also expressed concerns over the growing presence of illegal infiltrators in Kolkata, with central co-observer for Bengal, Amit Malviya, claiming that Hakim’s remarks would further encourage such infiltration and harm the social fabric of the state.

The Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, an influential national religious organization, also condemned Hakim’s statements. Paramatmanandji, the state president of the Sant Samiti, labeled the comments “irresponsible” and “inappropriate” for someone in such a prominent political position. The Sant Samiti expressed its concern that Hakim’s remarks could fuel religious discord and exacerbate communal tensions within West Bengal.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist), through leader Sujan Chakraborty, criticized Hakim for making such remarks, accusing him of stoking communal sentiments to influence upcoming elections. Chakraborty stated that Hakim's comments were an attempt to create further divisions in society. He also called on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) to disassociate from Hakim’s statements to avoid further controversy and prevent any negative impact on the state’s social harmony.

In his defense, Hakim clarified that his comments were intended to highlight the empowerment of the minority community rather than incite division. He asserted that the focus was on the growth and advancement of the minority group, rather than any intention to disrupt the majority community. The controversy has brought renewed attention to issues of religious demographics, communal relations, and political strategy in West Bengal, particularly as the state heads towards future elections.