A complaint has been filed against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee before the 25th Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Mumbai for “disrespecting the national anthem.”
The complaint was filed under Section 3 of the Prevention of Insult to National Honours Act 1971 by BJP Mumbai Secretary Vivekanand Gupta in which he has sought that an FIR be registered against her.
Gupta’s prayer is, “Court be pleased to direct the Cuffe Parade Police Station, Mumbai, under Section 156(3) of Criminal Procedure Code to register an FIR against Banerjee and investigate the matter under section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.”
The complaint has been filed against Banerjee for insulting and disrespecting the national anthem at a public function on December 1 at YB Chavan Pratisthan, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai. Banerjee was on a two-day visit to Maharashtra recently.
The complaint states that Banerjee was attending a programme convened by writer-poet Javed Akhtar and she was the main speaker.
According to Gupta, at the end of the programme, Banerjee was seen in “sitting position” and “singing the national anthem and later she stood up and sang two verses and abruptly stopped singing the national anthem.” Gupta said Banerjee’s video was viral on social media.
Gupta’s complaint to the court states that Banerjee had shown “utter disrespect to the national anthem” and she even left the venue after stopping the anthem abruptly.
Gupta states he sent a complaint to the Mumbai police commissioner and the local police station. However, neither communicated to him if any action would be taken. He had no other option but to approach the court, Gupta said.
Gupta will argue his case in the court on December 17.
