India, Oct. 15 -- Maharashtra's forest minister, Ganesh Naik, has landed in controversy after a candid admission at a community programme in Vashi, where he said that he had once kept wild animals in his care before releasing them when he assumed ministerial office.

A video of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader's remarks, made during an event organised by the Rajya Muslim Khatik Samaj Seva Sanstha on Monday, has since gone viral.

Addressing members of the Khatik community, traditionally engaged in goat rearing and the meat trade, Naik began his speech by referring to goats brought from Marathwada, before digressing into a personal anecdote.

"Those working here, who bring goats from Marathwada, had once brought a deer for me. When ...