Pakistani lawmaker Amir Liaquat Hussain of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was forced to make an apology and delete a tweet, which was regarded disrespectful to the minority Hindu community. It later led to a widespread condemnation and action against him.

Hussain started a dispute when he tweeted an image of a Hindu deity to ridicule Opposition leader Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Hussain, who is also a popular TV host, experienced flak from the Hindu community and other politicians for the tweet.

Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, PTI’s representative from Tharparkar in Sindh province, criticised Hussain’s tweet as a “shameful act”.

“Strongly condemned this shameful act by someone who claims to be a religious scholar also but doesn’t know the respect for other religions,” Vankwani, who is also the chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, tweeted.

“Delete this tweet immediately otherwise we reserve the right to demand strict action under the Blasphemy Act and protest across the country,” he wrote.

Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani’s tweet asking Hussain to delete the tweet:

Lal Malhi, another party leader from the Hindu community in Umerkot in Sindh, also criticised Hussain and asked Prime Minister Khan to take notice of his illogical act.

“Strongly condemn the blasphemous act of @AamirLiaquat and appeal @ImranKhanPTI to take notice of this immoral act. No religion including Islam permits him to do such illogical acts,” he said.

Here’s the tweet condemning Hussain:

Hussain later deleted his tweet and tweeted an apology to the Hindu community.

“I know the sentiments of the Hindu community were hurt,” Hussain said.

“I respect all faiths, this is what my religion has taught me,” he added.