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FIR registered against BJP MP Anant Maharaj over alleged Netaji remarks: Police
Police said the FIR against Anant Maharaj was registered over his alleged ‘war criminal’ remark about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at a Siliguri event.
Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Nagendra Ray, a BJP Rajya Sabha member popularly known as Anant Maharaj, for his alleged derogatory comments against Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
“He has done something which is unforgiveable. But he is a senior citizen. He has uploaded a video on social media on Thursday night. Looking at his age I think it should be taken with a positive note. Rest law will take its own course. I have nothing to say on that,” Suvendu Adhikari, chief minister, told the media in Kolkata.
Days after his alleged derogatory comments against Netaji, the Rajbanshi leader from north Bengal released a video statement saying that his comments were intentional.
“With respect to Netaji, I would like to state that if unintentional comments have hurt anyone emotionally, then I am sorry from the core of my heart,” Ray said in the video message.
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Ray had allegedly described Netaji as a “war criminal” at a public meeting in Siliguri on August 9. A video in which the Rajbanshi leader from north Bengal could purportedly be seen making the comments was widely circulated on social media.
In an earlier statement on July 19, the 64-year-old leader had questioned Netaji’s organising prowess and the role played by the Azad Hind Fauj in India’s freedom struggle. A complaint was lodged against Ray on August 7 for his comments at the Kotwali police station in Cooch Behar.
“His comments against Netaji were so derogatory that we were forced to lodge a complaint. He has insulted the National icon. He should be arrested and expelled from the Rajya Sabha,” Gopal Dey, a worker of the All India Forward Bloc who lodged the complaint against Ray, told the media on Friday.
On July 12, Adhikari directed the state police to initiate strict action against those making derogatory remarks against Netaji.
“We have already registered a FIR against Ray on the basis of a complaint we received on August 7. The FIR has registered under sections 196 (promoting enmity), 299 (malicious act to outrage religious feelings) and 353 (circulating false information),” said a senior officer of Cooch Behar.
Ray, in the face of criticism, had claimed that Netaji was described as a “war criminal” by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He also said that he had documents to support his claims.
Soon after the chief minister’s warning, at least six FIRs were lodged against various persons who uploaded derogatory comments against Netaji. Five persons were arrested to date. At least 282 social media accounts have been suspended by the state police.
“Ray is a BJP Rajya Sabha member and the BJP has to take his responsibility. This is a criminal offence. Already a few persons have been arrested. Why shouldn’t he be arrested?” Saugata Roy, TMC MP, told reporters.
