NEW DELHI, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- An Indian minister Thursday apologized to the Parliament for his comment that his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party will "soon change the Constitution."

"My comment was misunderstood. I respect the Constitution and believe that it is supreme. If, however, my statement has hurt anyone's sentiment, I have no problems in apologizing for it," Minister of State for Skill Development Anantkumar Hegde said.

The Parliament Wednesday witnessed massive uproar over his controversial comments at a recent event in his homestate of Karnataka in southern India.

"Some people say the Constitution says secular and you must accept it. We will respect the Constitution, but the Constitution has changed several times and it will change in the future too. We are here to change the Constitution and we'll change it," Hegde had said.

The Indian government has distanced itself from the minister's controversial comments. "The government does not associate with Hegde's views," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said.