The Calcutta High Court on Thursday ordered the Taratala police in Kolkata not to take any coercive action against actor and BJP leader Paresh Rawal for his “cook fish for Bengalis” remark during the Gujarat Assembly elections last year.
The court stated that because Rawal had already apologized for the remark, there was no need to take coercive action.
Addressing an election event in Gujarat last year, Rawal stated, “Efforts are being made to reduce the cost of LPG cylinders. People will get jobs as well. But what if Rohingya migrants and Bangladeshis start living near you, as in Delhi? What are you going to do with gas cylinders? Cook fish for the Bengalis?”
The actor was accused of hurting the feelings of Bengalis as a result of his comments.
Last year, on December 3, the Communist Party Of India- Marxist (CPI-M) filed a police complaint against Rawal, alleging that the veteran actor made the remark in order to incite riots and disrupt harmony between Bengalis and other communities.
The police lodged the case against the actor after receiving a complaint filed by CPI(M) state secretary for West Bengal, Md. Salim.
In his complaint to Taratala police station, Salim stated that he came across a video of the actor giving a speech on various social media platforms, which could incite hatred against Bengalis.
According to the CPI(M) leader, Bengalis living in other parts of the country may be targeted as a result of Rawal’s remark.
Salim stated, “Such a public speech was made to incite riots, destroy harmonious ties between Bengalis and other communities across the country, and cause public mischief.”
In the midst of the outrage, the actor took to Twitter to clarify and apologize for his remark.
In response to a user’s request that he “clarify” his remark, the actor wrote, “Of course, the fish isn’t the problem. I do cook and eat fish as a Gujarati. But let me clarify by Bengali, I mean illegal Bangladeshi Rohingya. But still, if I have offended your feelings or sentiments, please accept my apologies.”
The Bangla Pokkho organisation also protested the remark by posing with a cooked fish in front of the actor’s poster.
