CPI(M) wants Paresh Rawal prosecuted for ‘hate speech’ at rally

Kolkata : CPI(M) leader Md Salim on Friday said he has lodged a police complaint here against Paresh Rawal, alleging that the veteran actor made utterances during a recent poll rally in Gujarat that tantamounted to hate speech against the Bengali community.
Salim, in his complaint to Taratola Police Station, said he came across a video on various social media platforms featuring the actor giving a speech, which could promote feelings of hatred against Bengalis.
The CPI(M) leader said he apprehended that people from Bengal residing in other parts of the country could get affected as a result of Rawal’s comments.
Also Read Gujarat: Paresh Rawal makes remarks against Bengalis, apologises later “Such speech on public domain has been made to provoke riots and destroy harmony between Bengali community and other communities across the country, and cause public mischief,” Salim claimed.
Salim said Rawal had made an unsavoury reference, linking gas cylinders with Bangladeshis, Rohingyas, Bengalis and fish, and sought prosecution of the actor under various sections of IPC, including Sections 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 505 (statements intending public mischief).
Earlier in the day, Rawal, however, apologised for his comments.