‘I am sorry’: Mamata Banerjee on Bengal minister's remarks on President Murmu

Bengal minister Akhil Giri drew widespread criticism recently for making controversial remarks against President Droupadi Murmu's looks. After a video clip of his comments went viral, Giri apologised for it.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday condemned state minister Akhil Giri's comment on President Droupadi Murmu and apologised to her on the behalf of Trinamool Congress.

West Benagl chief minister Mamata Banerjee. (ANI file)

“We condemn what Akhil Giri said. Beauty can’t be decided by external looks. True beauty lies inside. I am personally very fond of President Murmu. I have great respect for her. I am sorry, I do apologise on behalf of the party,” Banerjee said.

“Somebody has committed a mistake and we are opposing it, we aren't supporting it. But every day, the language that is being used to make statements and the lying that is continuing is unacceptable,” news agency ANI quoted Banerjee as saying.

“Speaking is an art. I sometimes use the word ‘kimbhutkimakar’ (meaning strange in English). That's a word in the dictionary. I haven't used any words outside the dictionary. If I ever speak any bad word, I immediately withdraw it and we certainly have that right,” the West Bengal chief added at a press briefing.

Giri drew widespread criticism recently for making controversial remarks against President Murmu's looks. After a video clip of his comments went viral, Giri apologised for it.

Protests by the BJP against Giri for his controversial remarks, however, continued to rock different parts of the state for the third consecutive day.

Burning tyres and raising slogans against the minister of state for correctional homes, BJP supporters held a protest rally near Giri's residence in Kanthi town of Purba Medinipur district on Sunday.

Demonstrations seeking action against the state minister were organised in the districts of Paschim Bardhaman, Malda and Bankura. Protest marches and dharnas were held in several other places, including Kolkata, by the saffron party supporters, who demanded Giri's removal as a minister and also his arrest for making controversial remarks against the president.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar also condemned the comments, and said no one has the right to make such remarks on the President.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lashed out at Giri and said that the insult hurled on the president was "intentional". He called on the Bengal CM to take cognizance of the matter and act against her minister.