Dhaka: Shipping Minister M Shahjahan Khan on Wednesday withdrew his comment over molestation of girls on Pahela Baishakh festival last year, he said, it has created ‘confusion’ in public mind.

A shipping ministry handout said it was not properly presented what he had actually wanted to say at a programme marking the International Women’s Day over assaults on women during Pahela Baishakh celebrations.

He, however, regretted if the comments hurt anyone, the release said.

At the programme at Dhaka University on Tuesday, Shahjahan Khan said the incidents of sexual assault of women on Dhaka University campus during Pahela Baishakh celebrations in 2015 were ‘not a big issue’ which triggered huge criticisms.