CPI(M) leader files police complaint against BJP MP for alleged hate speech against Bengalis
The Hindu
BJP MP Paresh Rawal’s speech, allegedly insinuating that all Bengalis are foreigners or illegal immigrants, will arouse hatred against Bengalis living in other States, said CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim
Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary Mohammad Salim on December 2 filed a police complaint against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Paresh Rawal for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Bengalis.
“A large number of Bengalis reside outside the limits of the State. I apprehend that many of them will be prejudicially targeted and/or affected because of the vicious remarks made by Paresh Rawal,” said an email addressed by Mr. Salim to the Officer in Charge, Taltala Police Station.
Mr. Salim said that the remarks made by the BJP MP are bound to “provoke riots and destroy harmony” between Bengalis and members of other communities in the country. “In fact the innuendo and/or insinuation made in the said speech as regards all Bengalis being foreigners and/or illegal immigrants is bound to arouse feelings of hatred, ill will amongst other communities against Bengalis,” the CPI(M) leader said in his complaint.
Mr. Rawal allegedly made the controversial remarks at a public meeting during the Gujarat election campaign. “If inflation goes up, it will come down. People will get employment too. But what if Rohingya migrants and Bangladeshis start living around you, like in Delhi?... What will you do with the gas cylinders? First cook fish for the Bengalis?” he was heard saying.
The BJP leader took to Twitter to clarify his remarks. “By Bengali, I meant illegal Bangladeshi n [and] Rohingya. But still if I have hurt your feelings and sentiments I do apologise,” he tweeted.
However, the controversy has refused to die down. “Insensitivity Is ingrained in BJP! Unable to tackle inflation and rising prices of essential commodities, @BJP4India resorted to personal attacks and attempted to demean the people of Bengal,” the Trinamool Congress tweeted from its official handle.
“Yes, we Bengalis eat fish. Why do you have a problem with that? Remember that the national anthem you sing was written by a Bengali,“ State Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim said.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.