MUMBAI: Maharashtra's water resource minister Girish Mahajan, who came in for criticism for attending a school function with revolver tucked in his waist, has said that it was business as usual for him and he was carrying the revolver for last 25 years.

"From last 25 years I keep a revolver," Girish Mahajan was quoted as saying by ANI. "I admit that revolver was visible. But never have I pointed a revolver, or gotten involved in violence of any kind in my life."

The incident occurred in Jalgaon city on Saturday during an event held for distribution of educational material to the students.

Defending the minister, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that the licensed arms were meant for carrying though not allowed to be shown or used while in public.

"There was no intention to create any scare or threaten anyone. And there is absolutely nothing illegal in carrying a licensed arm," Fadnavis said while making a statement in the house after opposition created a ruckus and staged walkout in protest over the incident.

However, Fadnavis agreed with the speaker Haribhau Bagade's directives that no minister should openly use or expose it in the public while carrying. "We will issue proper directives accordingly so that ministers or public representative do not expose their arms while in public," he said.

The minister has a weapons license. Leader of opposition in legislative council Dhananjay Munde said: "The minister should know what sort of example he is setting for the kids by brazenly displaying his weapon.''

