BJP leader and Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal had moved to the Calcutta High Court over FIR filed against him for allegedly making ‘anti-Bengali remarks’. As per latest reports, the Calcutta High Court Single bench has ordered that no coercive action can be taken against Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal by the Kolkata Police and he can be questioned via video conferencing. The next date of hearing is February 6.
Here’s what had happened
Gujarat elections of 2022 had seen Rawal say, “Gas cylinders are expensive, but the prices will come down. People will get employment too. But what will happen if Rohingya migrants and Bangladeshis start living around you, like in Delhi? What will you do with gas cylinders? Cook fish for the Bengalis?”
His remarks sparked nationwide outrage, prompting the actor to apologise on Twitter for his take on the subject. Rawal subsequently went on to say that he statement was in reference to illegal “Bangladeshis and Rohingyas”.
Case against Paresh Rawal
When the video of this speech went viral, Paresh faced the wrath of the netizens. A complaint was lodged at the Taltala police station in Kolkata by CPM State Secretary Mohammad Salim.
Subsequently, a case was registered against Rawal under sections 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 153B (propagates denial of rights to linguistic or racial groups), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 505 (statements intending public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
As per a report in a vernacular portal, Kolkata Police had summoned Pareshbased on the complaint of Salim, and he was asked to appear on December 12 at 2pm. But at the appointed time, Paresh’s email came to the police station.
Paresh told the investigating police officer that he was very busy with work and asked for at least six weeks to appear at the police station. Then BJP MP and Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal, subsequently, approached the court challenging the summons notice.
