Christians did not fight for India's independence, Hindus and Muslims did: Mumbai MP

BJP MP from Mumbai North Gopal Shetty has resigned after allegedly saying "Christians did not contribute to the freedom struggle".

News reports quoted Gopal Shetty as also calling Christians "angrez" (foreigners). Shetty allegedly said the Christians were British, which is why they did not fight for India's freedom.

Instead, he said, it was the Hindus and Muslims who fought for India's independence. Shetty was quoted as saying "we (Hindus and Muslims) fought as one for our independence".

Shetty reportedly made his remarks on Sunday during an Eid-e-Milad organised in Mumbai's Malad by the Shia Kabristan Committee.

Shetty later said he had been "misrepresented", that he had never discriminated against anyone, and that he would be resigning.