The city police have started a case against BJP politician and actor Paresh Rawal for his alleged remark on “cooking fish” and “Bengalis”and have summoned the actor to Taltala police station in central Kolkata on December 12.
The case was registered based on a complaint by CPM state secretary Mohammad Salim, who had alleged that Rawal’s remark was “hate speech” against Bengalis.
A police officer of the rank of deputy commissioner said on Tuesday evening that the summons had been sent to Rawal through Juhu police station.
At a rally in Valsad in poll-bound Gujarat, Rawal had said in Gujarati: “Gas cylinders are expensive but their price will come down. People will get employment as well. 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 Bengalis?”
As the remarks drew criticism on social media, Rawal tendered an apology on his Twitter handle: “Of course, the fish is not the issue as Gujaratis do cook and eat fish. But let me clarify by Bengali, I meant illegal Bangladeshi N Rohingya. But still, if I have hurt your feelings and sentiments I do apologise.”
Mohammad Salim had complained of “hate speech” against the actor and lodged a formal complaint against him.
A case has been registered against Rawal under IPC sections related to provocation with intent to cause riots, promoting enmity between different groups, propagating denial of rights to linguistic or racial groups, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and making statements intending public mischief, the police said.
In 2021, Kolkata police had summoned and questioned actor-turned-BJP politician Mithun Chakraborty for his speech during the West Bengal election campaign.
Chakraborty was summoned and questioned through video conferencing.