Bollywood actor and BJP leader Paresh Rawal filed a petition with the Calcutta High Court in response to a FIR that had been lodged against him for allegedly uttering "anti-Bengali statements," news agency IANS reported.
According to the most recent reports, the Calcutta High Court Single bench has ruled that Bollywood star Paresh Rawal may be questioned through video conference but that no coercive action may be taken against him by the Kolkata Police. The next hearing will take place on February 6.
Paresh Rawal used a "cooking fish" cliché to disparage "Bangladeshis and Rohingya" living next door while campaigning for the BJP in the 2022 Gujarat election. Bengalis were outraged by his remarks.
He had stated: "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?"
Paresh received backlash from internet users when the video of this speech went viral. CPM State Secretary Mohammad Salim filed a report at the Taltala police station in Kolkata.
A case was subsequently filed against Rawal under the Indian Penal Code's sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 153B (propogates denial of rights to linguistic or racial groups), and 505 (statements intending public mischief) (IPC).
Following Salim's allegation, the Tiljala police station called Rawal for questioning in December of last year, which he ignored.
In order to challenge the FIR and the summons, Paresh Rawal filed a high court petition.
According to the high court, Rawal has previously expressed regret for his alleged hate speech, hence no coercive measures were required to be taken against him.
Salim, a CPM politician, alleged that the actor's statements were hate speech that would incite animosity toward Bengalis.
Following harsh criticism for his statements in December of last year, the veteran actor issued a public apology. "Of course, fish is not the issue as Gujaratis cook and eat fish. But, to be clear, I meant illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. However, if I have offended your thoughts and views, I sincerely apologise," he had tweeted then.
The CPM leader and complainant Mohammed Salim's attorney was also instructed by the court to seek guidance over the apology, and a hearing date of February 6 was set.
(With Inputs From Agencies)