Paresh Rawal has approached the High Court challenging the summons of the Calcutta Police in the wake of the complaint lodged against him for his controversial comments about Bengalis. CPM state secretary Saleem lodged a complaint at Kolkata’s Taltala police station protesting against Paresh Rawal’s comments during the Gujarat Assembly election campaign. In view of that complaint, the Kolkata Police had issued summons to Paresh Rawal on 12 December.
BJP leader Paresh Rawal had said in a meeting in Gujarat on December 1, ‘If the price of gas cylinder increases, it will become cheap again. If inflation increases, it will decrease. People will also get employment. The people of Gujarat may have to face the problem of inflation. But, if Rohingyas and Bangladeshis start living next to your house like in Delhi, what will happen to the gas cylinder? Do you cook fish for Bengalis? This remark about Bengalis sparked a debate across the country. Amidst the controversy, Paresh Rawal said, ‘Gujaratis also cook and eat fish. But I want to make it clear that by Bengalis I mean illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. Even after that, if I have hurt someone’s sentiments, then I apologise.
However, the Calcutta Police filed a case against Paresh Rawal for his statement the next day. On the basis of the complaint lodged by the Kolkata Police, Lalbazar had issued summons on 12th December. But Paresh Rawal did not attend. Instead, they asked for 6 more weeks. Meanwhile, he approached the Calcutta High Court and challenged the summons of the Calcutta Police.