Kolkata Police registers case against actor Paresh Rawal, CPIM leader complains

Kolkata Police has registered a case against Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal. The Kolkata Police has registered a case against Paresh Rawal under different sections of the Indian Penal Code on the complaint of Mohammad Salim, State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPIM). The CPIM leader has alleged that Rawal gave a 'hate speech' against the Bengali community at a BJP election rally in Gujarat.

Police said that Section 153 (provocation with intent to riot), Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), Section 153B (denying the rights of linguistic or racial groups) of the Indian Penal Code against Paresh Rawal And cases have been registered under other sections including section 504 (voluntarily insulting with intent to provoke breach of the peace). In his complaint lodged at Taltala police station, Salim said that he found a video on various social media platforms, which showed the actor delivering a speech that could promote feelings of hatred against Bengalis.

Salim claimed that Rawal had made an unflattering reference to Bengalis by associating the gas cylinder with Bangladeshis, Rohingyas, Bengalis and fish. At a rally organized in Valsad district, Rawal had said, “Gas cylinders are expensive, but their prices will come down. People will also get employment, but what if Rohingya migrants and Bangladeshis start living around you like in Delhi? What will you do with the gas cylinder? Cook fish for Bengalis? He said, "By Bengali, I meant illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, but if my comment has hurt anyone's sentiments, I apologise."