Derogatory FB post against Sharad Pawar: Marathi actor sent to police custody
The Hindu
On May 14, Marathi actor Ketaki Chitale and a student, Nikhil Bhamre, were arrested for allegedly sharing objectionable posts on Mr. Pawar
Marathi actor Ketaki Chitale, who was arrested by the Thane police for allegedly sharing an objectional Facebook post about Nationalist Congress Party [NCP] chief Sharad Pawar, was sent to police custody till May 18 by a Thane court on May 15.
Her comments against Mr. Pawar evoked condemnations from the NCP chief’s daughter, MP Supriya Sule and his nephew, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, as well as widespread criticism from across the political spectrum.
Even Opposition leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP] including former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray strongly condemned Ms. Chitale’s remarks.
The 29-year-old Ms. Chitale, a resident of Pune who has acted in television and in films, is known to have made controversial remarks in the past too. As many as five cases have been lodged against her for sharing a derogatory post on Mr. Sharad Pawar’s appearance and illness and qualifying it with indecorous remarks like “hell is waiting” and “you hate Brahmins.”
Dubbing Ms. Chitale’s comments against Mr. Pawar as “unfortunate” and one that could only be made by a “perverted mind”, Mr. Ajit Pawar said that despite the NCP chief being active in public life for nearly 60 years, he had never made disparaging or derogatory remarks against anyone.
“This is Maharashtra’s misfortune… While the Constitution has indeed guaranteed citizens the right to free speech, people need to understand what they speak and the impact it can have on society ”Ajit PawarMaharashtra Deputy CM
“This is Maharashtra’s misfortune… While the Constitution has indeed guaranteed citizens the right to free speech, people need to understand what they speak and the impact it can have on society… Despite Sharad Pawar having been active in the public sphere for 60 years, he has never made uncharitable comments against anybody despite facing criticism and enduring allegations,” said the Deputy Chief Minister.