Why Did BJP Leader File a Complaint Against Bengali Actor Anirban Bhattacharya and His Band?
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Synopsis
A complaint has emerged against Bengali actor Anirban Bhattacharya and his band Hooliganism for allegedly insulting Sanatan Dharma. BJP leader Tarunjyoti Tewari accuses them of promoting enmity and has threatened legal action, highlighting the tensions between artistic expression and religious sentiments.
Key Takeaways
- Complaint filed against Anirban Bhattacharya for disrespecting Sanatan Dharma.
- BJP leader threatens legal action if police do not register an FIR.
- Comments made during a performance are at the center of the controversy.
- Discussion on artistic freedom vs. religious sentiments is crucial.
- Implications for public harmony in a diverse society.
Kolkata, Sep 3 (NationPress) A formal complaint has been filed against renowned Bengali actor Anirban Bhattacharya and his newly formed Bengali rock band 'Hooliganism' for "intentionally disrespecting Sanatan Dharma and fostering discord." The grievance was lodged at the Cyber Police Station in Lalbazar (Kolkata Police headquarters) by BJP leader and attorney Tarunjyoti Tewari.
In statements to IANS, Tewari has even threatened to pursue legal action against Bhattacharya and his band at the Calcutta High Court if the police do not register an FIR following the complaint.
"I have no objections to the song they performed recently which mentions political leaders. They are free to perform any song they choose. However, they included certain phrases that are objectionable. They ridiculed Sanatan Dharma and its followers. Hence, a case should be filed against them for hurting the religious sentiments of individuals, including myself, as I am a believer of Sanatan Dharma," remarked the BJP leader.
In his official complaint, Tewari wrote: "During their performance, Mr. Anirban Bhattacharya made derogatory statements mocking Sanatan Dharma and its followers (Sanatanis). As a devotee of Sanatan Dharma, I was profoundly offended and outraged by his comments. His remarks were made not as casual commentary but with malicious intent, thereby insulting my religious beliefs and the feelings of millions of Sanatanis. This was done for cheap publicity for his band by offending our sentiments."
He added: "The actions of Anirban Bhattacharya and the band Hooliganism clearly fall under penal codes in Indian law, as it was executed with a deliberate and malicious intent to provoke the religious feelings of a segment of citizens through words, symbols, and visible representations, thereby directly insulting the religious beliefs of Sanatan Dharma."
Tewari continued, "This was aimed at fostering enmity, hatred, and ill-will between different groups based on religion, community, and belief, which is detrimental to public peace and harmony and serves to disrupt tranquility and create discord through offensive expressions targeting a specific faith, thereby inciting division and communal strife."
The BJP leader urged the police to initiate suitable legal action against Hooliganism, its members, and specifically Anirban Bhattacharya, under the relevant sections of the BNS and the Information Technology Act, for willfully hurting religious sentiments and promoting discord.
However, the Bengali actor refrained from commenting on the situation after failing to respond to messages on his mobile device.
On August 31, Bhattacharya participated in a rock concert titled 'Band Strom' at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan in Kolkata, where he introduced his new band 'Hooliganism' and performed their latest single 'Tumi masti korbe jani' (I know you'll have fun).
Before starting their performance, Bhattacharya reportedly made comments regarding Sanatan Dharma and its followers.
In the song, the band also mentioned various political leaders from multiple parties, including the Prime Minister. The song served as a social commentary, referencing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Hindu Rashtra, and the Supreme Court ruling on stray dogs.
Point of View
It is essential to acknowledge the delicate balance between artistic freedom and respect for religious beliefs. While creativity should be encouraged, it should not come at the expense of communal harmony. This incident underscores the ongoing dialogue around expression and sensitivity in our diverse society.
NationPress
03/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main issue in the complaint?
The complaint primarily revolves around allegations that actor Anirban Bhattacharya and his band Hooliganism insulted Sanatan Dharma and promoted enmity through derogatory remarks during a performance.
Who filed the complaint?
The complaint was filed by BJP leader and lawyer Tarunjyoti Tewari at the Cyber Police Station in Lalbazar.
What legal actions are being threatened?
Tarunjyoti Tewari has threatened to take the matter to the Calcutta High Court if the police fail to register an FIR based on his complaint.
What was the context of the performance?
Anirban Bhattacharya introduced his band Hooliganism at a rock show called 'Band Strom' in Kolkata, where they performed their new single while allegedly making comments about Sanatan Dharma.
What are the implications of this complaint?
This complaint raises questions about the boundaries of artistic expression and the potential consequences of offending religious sentiments within a diverse society.
