Kolkata cops register FIR against Paresh Rawal after row over remark on Bengalis

Kolkata Police has registered an FIR against BJP leader and actor Paresh Rawal over alleged hate speech against Bengalis.

CPI(M) West Bengal State Secretary Md Salim had earlier lodged a police complaint against Paresh Rawal for his “anti-Bengali” remarks.

Salim alleged Rawal’s comment was provocative and it could incite “riots and destroy the harmony between Bengali and other communities”.

A case has been registered against Rawal under IPC 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).

The complaint holds relevance as Paresh Rawal drew flak over his statements linking inflation, gas cylinders, Bengalis and fish during BJP’s campaign speech on Tuesday. On Friday, he apologised for his take on the subject and said that the statement was in reference to illegal ‘Bangladeshis and Rohingyas’.

“A large number of Bengalis reside outside the limits of the State. I apprehend that many of them will be prejudicially targeted and affected because of the vicious remarks made by Paresh Rawal,” Salim’s complaint stated.