BJP today demanded "apology" from Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ravi Naik for his statement that Nigerians should be banned from entering the country as they "create trouble".
"Ravi Naik should tender an apology. The statements made by Naik are insulting and uncalled for. We want to know why Naik himself did not ban Nigerians when he was Home Minister of the state?" BJP Goa spokesman Kiran Kandolkar said while talking to reporters here.
The saffron party also took objection to the usage of an apparently racist term by Naik during his press conference.
"When you talk about people from other country you cannot make stray comments. We live in democracy and need to solve this issue as per law," he said.
Meanwhile, Goa Forward party has also condemned Naik.
"The statement made by ex-Home Minister Ravi Naik seeking a blanket ban on Nigerians is uncalled for and in bad taste. You cannot condemn the people of particular nationality for the acts of a few," Goa Forward spokesman Durgadas Kamat said.
"What is more shocking is that a former Home Minister (is making such statement)...What had stopped him from acting when he was the home minister for five years," he said.
Kamat demanded that police should take cognisance of Naik's statement and question him on what basis did he make such remarks.
Naik had led Home department in the Digambar Kamat-led government during 2007-2012. He had served as CM in 1990s.
The Congress leader today stoked a row when he said that Nigerians should be probed and it should be checked whether many of them are here to study or for picnics or to sell drugs.
He also alleged that Nigerian nationals stay in the country and "indulge in illegal activities".
