Paresh Rawal has been called for questioning on 12 December.
New Delhi:
Actor Paresh Rawal has been summoned by the Kolkata Police for questioning over his remarks on Bengalis at an election rally in Gujarat. Kolkata Police has asked Paresh Rawal to be present on Monday.
The complaint against Paresh Rawal was lodged by former MP and CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim. Mohd Salim wanted Paresh Rawal to be booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including promoting enmity, intentional insult, causing public mischief, etc.
Campaigning for the ruling BJP, Paresh Rawal said Gujaratis would tolerate price rise but not “Bangladeshis and Rohingyas” in the neighborhood and used the “fish cook” stereotype, which has angered Bengalis .
“Gas cylinders are expensive, but their cost 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 gas cylinders? Cook fish for Bengalis.” Paresh Rawal had said in Valsad last week.
Paresh Rawal’s comments created a storm in West Bengal, with the ruling Trinamool Congress taking strong objection to his outburst.
While the veteran actor attempted to explain his comments with a qualified apology, he ended the controversy by claiming that when he used the word “Bengali” he meant “illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas”.
The action against Paresh Rawal came on a day when Trinamool Congress spokesperson Saket Gokhale was arrested for alleging that PM Modi’s visit to Gujarat’s Morbi in November caused a loss of Rs 30 crore to the state government, which was due to the bridge collapse. The compensation paid to the victims was much more than that.