Kolkata Police summons Paresh Rawal over remark on Bengalis

Hours after registering an FIR against Paresh Rawal over his "cooking fish for Bengalis" remark, the Kolkata Police summoned the actor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader for questioning. The police have asked Paresh Rawal to appear before the investigating officer of Taltala Police station in Kolkata on December 12, by 2 pm.

According to sources, the police have sent a notice to the veteran Bollywood actor under Section 41A of Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC).

Paresh Rawal was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on a complaint filed by CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim. The left leader alleged that Rawal delivered "hate speech" against



the Bengali community during an election rally of the BJP in Gujarat.

The actor stoked a controversy after he took up the issue of gas cylinder prices at a rally in Gujarat's Valsad. "Gas cylinders are expensive, but their price 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?" Rawal had said.

After facing massive criticism over his remarks, especially by West Bengal leaders, the 67-year-old actor tendered an apology and said that the statement was in reference to illegal 'Bangladeshis and Rohingyas'.