West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari orders arrests over derogatory Netaji remarks online

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday directed the police to take stringent action and arrest people making derogatory comments about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on social media.

When asked whether action would be taken against BJP Rajya Sabha MP Anant Maharaj over his derogatory remarks about Netaji, Adhikari said, "I will not name anyone, but the law is equal for MLAs, MPs, leaders of any party, government officials or police officers. The law is equal for everybody. The police will act according to the BNS."

Adhikari asked those making derogatory remarks to delete such posts from Facebook and other social media platforms.


“I have given instructions to the police and the DGP. Police will take appropriate action. We are also directing our Cyber Department to take action under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This will not be allowed in West Bengal. The government will not tolerate this,” the CM said.

The Chief Minister also said the law is equal for MPs, MLAs and government officials.

“Today, North Bengal MLAs Dipak Barman, Malati Rava Ray and others came and met me. They demanded that appropriate action be taken by the state government against those who are misusing social media handles against our great freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose,” Adhikari said.

However, the CM also clarified that deleting the posts may not help, as the police will still take action.

The West Bengal government on Wednesday announced that every MLA will start a “Seva Kendra” in their constituency, which will be named 'Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Seva Kendra'.

“The Seva Kendra will help the MLAs connect with local people and must have a dhoti-clad photo of Netaji, which will be provided by the state government,” Adhikari announced.

“We always respect Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Our Prime Minister also installed a statue of Netaji in Delhi at Kartavya Path. This is the stand of the Prime Minister, and the stand of the BJP.”